Today is sunday and I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Mostly because I wanted to go to our wonderful church and hear THE WORD from Bill or Shelton. Not only did I want to hear God's word but I wanted to worship and sing. We are so weary today....stayed in our place most of the day, but went out to get some groceries and had lunch with ksenia. We truly feel like a prisoner in our own place. We are so ready to come home and hours seem like years here.
Although we sleep a lot, we are tired of the same 4 walls and are ready to go home to see our children. We literally are counting the hours until our court date. We miss our kids and chaotic life so much. Remind me of this later when I am complaining of laundry and cleaning. :)
I am doing some knittig and may have to knit us a blanket. We are so cold and even though the sun shines some days we can't seem to get our feet warm. Jeff is reading a lot and we are both checking in with Jack Bauer on 24. He makes us feel like we don't have any problems at all, since he usually is saving the world from a nuclear attack of some sort.
Not many words today...just a word from Priscilla Shirer. She is Tony Evans daughter and wrote the most beautiful piece just for us I think....becuase I have read it three times. You need to read this outloud with conviction.: It's called He is the First and the Last:
He is the first and the last, the Beginning and the end. He is the keeper of Creation and the crator of all. He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times. He always was and He always is and He always will be....unmoved, unchanged, undefeated, and never undone.
He was bruised but brought healing. He was pierced and eased pain. He was persecuted and brought freedom, He wasedead and brought life. He is risen and brings power. He reigns and brings peace.
The world can't understand him, the armies can't defeat Him, the schools can't explain Him, and the Leaders can't ignore Him. Herod couldn't kill Him, the Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and the people couldn't hold Him.
Nero couldn't crush Him, Hitler couldn't silence Him, The New age can't replace Him, and "Oprah" can't explain Him away. He is light, love, longevity, and the Lord. He is Goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God. He is HOLY, RIGHTEOUS, MIGHTY, POWERFUL, and PURE.
His ways are right, His word is eternal, His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me.
He is my Savior, He is my guide, and He is my Peace! He is my Joy. He is my comfort, He is my Lord and He rules my life.
Serve Him becuase His bond is love, His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life.
I follow Him becuase He is the wisdom of the wise, the power of the powerful, the ancient of days, the rules of rulers, the leader of leaders, the overseer of the overcomers, and is to come. And if that seems impressive to you, try this on for size......
His goal is a relationship with ME! He will never leave me, never forsake me, never mislead me, never forget me, never overlook me, and never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!
When I fall, He lifts me up! When I fail, He forgives me! When I am weak, He is strong! When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage. When I stumble, He steadies me. When I am hurt, He heals me! When I am broken, He mends me. When I am blind, He leads me. When I am hungry, He feeds me.
When I face trials, He is with me! When I face persecution, He shileds me! When I face problems, he comforts me! When I face loss, He prvides for me! When I face Death, He carries me Home! He is everything for everybody, everywhere, every time and every way. He is God!!!!! He is faithful! I am His and He is mine! My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world. So, if you're wondering why I feel so secure (Here in Ukraine) understand this....He said it and that settles it! God is in control. I am on His side, and that means all is well with my soul! Everyday is a blessing for God is!
I wish I could memorize this...becuase this is so comforting!
Only two and a half more days! God will sustain us.
love to you all,
m and j
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
saturday
Today was a pretty good day. It was cleaning day again. EVERY STINKIN DAY IS CLEANING DAY at the orphanage! This was the first day that we noticed that one little girl wasn't mopping the floors in the schoolroom. She is punished daily by this chore and uses a sweater on a wooden stick for her mop. Whenever we see her she makes this face at us like, "Oh well, I got in trouble again."
Sasha played basketball and soccer with us and we enjoyed being around him for about 3 hours. His shoes come off often because they are way too big for him, but he keeps tying them around his ankles to keep them on. When jeff was playing basketball with him Jeff looked at me and said, "I have a lot of work to do." haha....Sasha is an incredible soccer player but his basketball skills are lacking a bit. Mostly because the orphanage didn't have a basktball until we brought one. Jeff said, "Sasha, in America, do you want me to be your basketball coach?" Before he even got the words out of his mouth, Sasha said, "Yes papa!"
Also his friends call him "Lebedev", his current last name....but when we said, "Hey Lebedev," He said, "No Lebedev, Nyman!" Of course you know we loved that and it melted our hearts.
We also had an opportunity to skype Alena in Atlanta today. She was adopted this past summer from the same orphanage by a wonderful family. She loves America and is learning English very quickly. Ksenia told us that Sasha said to Alena, "My mama and papa are here right not to adopt me."She told Sasha that she loved America and the sweet Bockish family actually made a video for us to show to Sasha which tells him how much she loves Americat. We have not viewed it yet, but we can't wait to show him on Monday! We explained to him that we are not allowed to visit tomorrow but will be back on Monday and will have court on Tuesday.
We also got the privaledge to hang out with the McVeah boys. OMG!!! These are two precious 15 year olds who are best friends and are being adopted in December by a family in Pennsylvania. They are such amazing boys and are so good to the younger kids. We are so impressed with them and hope that Sasha will follow in their footsteps as he matures. They are KILLER soccer players and will be the stars of their varsity team when they arrive in America.
Everyday we take Sasha a Coca Cola and chocolate. Wow....he has a major sugar buzz everytime we are with him. Little does he know that we won't be drinking sodas and having sugar at every meal in America. haha. I won't switch him to organic right away...haha..I'm all for a little junk food now and then. When Sasha lived with us this past summer, he usually woke before me and had made eggs and then went straight for the ice cream bars. I hope we are able to switch him over to some normal eating patterns soon.
Well we went to a restaurant the other night and saw a bong delivered right to a table near us. No lie! They use this bong for flavored nicotene and they smoke it right there at the table. The bongs are huge, about 2 feet in height and have a tube connected which the smoke is inhaled through. WILD! I know they use this in other countries too, but for us Americans, it was unbelieveable to see. Of course we associate bongs with pot....but they smoke flavored apple tobacco, etc. You should have seen my face.
The children are so precious at this orphanage. Sasha's little girl that he likes is named Olena. Jeff bought an ice cream bar for Olena and her friend. They said, "SANK U VEDY MUCH!" Anyway, Sasha is absolutely smitten with her. I stood by them when they were talking and she just laughs and laughs at whatever he is saying in Russian. I said, "Sasha, what did you say?" He said, "It's okay mama." haha...who knows?? Jeff and I have a hard enough time with the English language let alone the Russian and Ukrainian.
We are counting down the days. We are home reading and watching our Jack Bauer save the country. What would we do without each other, 24, books, and the internet. Jeff is missing his Saturday football on the couch. These are some of the little things we miss.....american tv, comfy bed, hot shower, but mostly our precious children! Oh Kelsey, karley and Kyle....we're coming soon!
Thanks again for walking on this journey with us. We hope to have a positive experience in court on Tuesday and then head to Munich to spend the night and then home on Wednesday afternoon. We can't wait!
love to you all,
m and j
Sasha played basketball and soccer with us and we enjoyed being around him for about 3 hours. His shoes come off often because they are way too big for him, but he keeps tying them around his ankles to keep them on. When jeff was playing basketball with him Jeff looked at me and said, "I have a lot of work to do." haha....Sasha is an incredible soccer player but his basketball skills are lacking a bit. Mostly because the orphanage didn't have a basktball until we brought one. Jeff said, "Sasha, in America, do you want me to be your basketball coach?" Before he even got the words out of his mouth, Sasha said, "Yes papa!"
Also his friends call him "Lebedev", his current last name....but when we said, "Hey Lebedev," He said, "No Lebedev, Nyman!" Of course you know we loved that and it melted our hearts.
We also had an opportunity to skype Alena in Atlanta today. She was adopted this past summer from the same orphanage by a wonderful family. She loves America and is learning English very quickly. Ksenia told us that Sasha said to Alena, "My mama and papa are here right not to adopt me."She told Sasha that she loved America and the sweet Bockish family actually made a video for us to show to Sasha which tells him how much she loves Americat. We have not viewed it yet, but we can't wait to show him on Monday! We explained to him that we are not allowed to visit tomorrow but will be back on Monday and will have court on Tuesday.
We also got the privaledge to hang out with the McVeah boys. OMG!!! These are two precious 15 year olds who are best friends and are being adopted in December by a family in Pennsylvania. They are such amazing boys and are so good to the younger kids. We are so impressed with them and hope that Sasha will follow in their footsteps as he matures. They are KILLER soccer players and will be the stars of their varsity team when they arrive in America.
Everyday we take Sasha a Coca Cola and chocolate. Wow....he has a major sugar buzz everytime we are with him. Little does he know that we won't be drinking sodas and having sugar at every meal in America. haha. I won't switch him to organic right away...haha..I'm all for a little junk food now and then. When Sasha lived with us this past summer, he usually woke before me and had made eggs and then went straight for the ice cream bars. I hope we are able to switch him over to some normal eating patterns soon.
Well we went to a restaurant the other night and saw a bong delivered right to a table near us. No lie! They use this bong for flavored nicotene and they smoke it right there at the table. The bongs are huge, about 2 feet in height and have a tube connected which the smoke is inhaled through. WILD! I know they use this in other countries too, but for us Americans, it was unbelieveable to see. Of course we associate bongs with pot....but they smoke flavored apple tobacco, etc. You should have seen my face.
The children are so precious at this orphanage. Sasha's little girl that he likes is named Olena. Jeff bought an ice cream bar for Olena and her friend. They said, "SANK U VEDY MUCH!" Anyway, Sasha is absolutely smitten with her. I stood by them when they were talking and she just laughs and laughs at whatever he is saying in Russian. I said, "Sasha, what did you say?" He said, "It's okay mama." haha...who knows?? Jeff and I have a hard enough time with the English language let alone the Russian and Ukrainian.
We are counting down the days. We are home reading and watching our Jack Bauer save the country. What would we do without each other, 24, books, and the internet. Jeff is missing his Saturday football on the couch. These are some of the little things we miss.....american tv, comfy bed, hot shower, but mostly our precious children! Oh Kelsey, karley and Kyle....we're coming soon!
Thanks again for walking on this journey with us. We hope to have a positive experience in court on Tuesday and then head to Munich to spend the night and then home on Wednesday afternoon. We can't wait!
love to you all,
m and j
Friday, October 15, 2010
FRIDAY
Well today we arrived at the orphanage and couldn't find Sasha anywhere. Little did we know that this was "shower day." So we waited and waited and finally realized that he was in his sleeping building, taking a shower. By the way, this is not a shower shower....but more of a bathing facility.When we saw him, we did not get much of a reception. He seemed a little distant again.
We followed his class over to the playground and Jeff and I were allowed to play with him for a little bit. We still had a spy with us from the orphanage, but in our distant sight. Jeff played basketball again with Sasha and later some friends came to join him. We played soccer and baseball too. He was acting up and we experienced some major behavioral problems today.
I used to tell him stories at home, so I began a story for him as he was kicking the soccer ball very angrily at the wall. I said, "Once upon a time, one little boy named Jeffrey Sasha Nyman came to America and became the greatest soccer player to ever live." He said, "mama, no America!
I always freak out when this happens and think to myself...".OH CRAP!!! Here we go again." Jeff remains calm and always says, "He doesn't mean that."
Well, Ksenia joined us shortly after that little exchange that I had with Sasha. She had a long talk with him and we discovered that he is being told by teachers and or kids that once the Americans own you or adopt you that they will beat you and kill you. Ksenia assured him that these kids are lieing to him and that they are just jealous. He needed her to assure him and his behavior did change once she was able to explain to him, that this is not true. She told him that we have had him at our house twice now and that he knows us and not to believe anything he hears here at the orphanage. She asked him if he thinks we beat Kelsey, karley and Kyle. He said, "No!"
We brought a basketball and soccer ball to pump up for the kids at the orphanage. Interestingly enough, Sasha is not willing to share with the other kids if he is not participating. We convinced him a few times to let them play with the balls and that we want him to LOVE PEOPLE...not LOVE THINGS! We then reflected on the fact, that since he has not had parents since the age of 3, he has probably never owned anything that was actually JUST HIS! He can become a little possessive I think because he shares his clothes and everything else at the orphanage. I remember him saying this summer these exact words, "Mama, JUST SASHA'S." Meaning, is this just for me mama.....because I want it just to be mine. So sad and difficult to understand how to proceed from here. WeI have a lot to learn about how this little boy's heart has been hurt. I am excited about bringing him home, but I realize that the challenges ahead of us are great!
It truly is a battle...we feel like we start over every single day again. It is tiring and depressing honestly! That was one of the reasons that we were so disappointed that court was not today, because Sasha is wearing down. We have Saturday to spend with him, then we are not allowed to go to the orphanage on Sunday. Monday we will be with him and then 11:30 our time on Tuesday is court. We will have about 15 minutes with him once they bring him into the courtroom to prepare him.
Jeff and I did our devotion today and guess what....again, it was exactly what I needed to hear. It was on "self pitty." I must confess that yesterday I had a huge pitty party for myself and Jeff. I couldn't get out of that "self pitty" mode. Thankfully my perspective is different today. God's mercies are new every morning...right Laurie? :) Yesterday I was thinking, omg, we are never going to leave this place....we are here for no reason....Sasha will probably not even go home with us. Today, God has given me peace and hope and a thankful spirit again. He has shown me that when we are weak, He is at our strongest. Even when I make a fool out of myself and act like a child kicking and screaming that He loves us and will always be waiting for us to come back to Him...asking for forgiveness and restoration.
I know that God has some amazing plans for Sasha's life or the enemy would not be fighting so hard to keep him from coming with us to America. Satan is not happy that there will be another saved soul who will speak God! God is so good though and always prevails!
I love Joshua 1:9...."Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be dismayed; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go!"
We will fight for Sasha because when we have God's love in us, we are able to accomplish well beyond our limitations of the flesh! We will not give up and although the journey may be long and difficult, it is all worth it. Sasha is a little boy who deserves a chance to have a family who loves him.
Thanks for your prayers!
m and j
We followed his class over to the playground and Jeff and I were allowed to play with him for a little bit. We still had a spy with us from the orphanage, but in our distant sight. Jeff played basketball again with Sasha and later some friends came to join him. We played soccer and baseball too. He was acting up and we experienced some major behavioral problems today.
I used to tell him stories at home, so I began a story for him as he was kicking the soccer ball very angrily at the wall. I said, "Once upon a time, one little boy named Jeffrey Sasha Nyman came to America and became the greatest soccer player to ever live." He said, "mama, no America!
I always freak out when this happens and think to myself...".OH CRAP!!! Here we go again." Jeff remains calm and always says, "He doesn't mean that."
Well, Ksenia joined us shortly after that little exchange that I had with Sasha. She had a long talk with him and we discovered that he is being told by teachers and or kids that once the Americans own you or adopt you that they will beat you and kill you. Ksenia assured him that these kids are lieing to him and that they are just jealous. He needed her to assure him and his behavior did change once she was able to explain to him, that this is not true. She told him that we have had him at our house twice now and that he knows us and not to believe anything he hears here at the orphanage. She asked him if he thinks we beat Kelsey, karley and Kyle. He said, "No!"
We brought a basketball and soccer ball to pump up for the kids at the orphanage. Interestingly enough, Sasha is not willing to share with the other kids if he is not participating. We convinced him a few times to let them play with the balls and that we want him to LOVE PEOPLE...not LOVE THINGS! We then reflected on the fact, that since he has not had parents since the age of 3, he has probably never owned anything that was actually JUST HIS! He can become a little possessive I think because he shares his clothes and everything else at the orphanage. I remember him saying this summer these exact words, "Mama, JUST SASHA'S." Meaning, is this just for me mama.....because I want it just to be mine. So sad and difficult to understand how to proceed from here. WeI have a lot to learn about how this little boy's heart has been hurt. I am excited about bringing him home, but I realize that the challenges ahead of us are great!
It truly is a battle...we feel like we start over every single day again. It is tiring and depressing honestly! That was one of the reasons that we were so disappointed that court was not today, because Sasha is wearing down. We have Saturday to spend with him, then we are not allowed to go to the orphanage on Sunday. Monday we will be with him and then 11:30 our time on Tuesday is court. We will have about 15 minutes with him once they bring him into the courtroom to prepare him.
Jeff and I did our devotion today and guess what....again, it was exactly what I needed to hear. It was on "self pitty." I must confess that yesterday I had a huge pitty party for myself and Jeff. I couldn't get out of that "self pitty" mode. Thankfully my perspective is different today. God's mercies are new every morning...right Laurie? :) Yesterday I was thinking, omg, we are never going to leave this place....we are here for no reason....Sasha will probably not even go home with us. Today, God has given me peace and hope and a thankful spirit again. He has shown me that when we are weak, He is at our strongest. Even when I make a fool out of myself and act like a child kicking and screaming that He loves us and will always be waiting for us to come back to Him...asking for forgiveness and restoration.
I know that God has some amazing plans for Sasha's life or the enemy would not be fighting so hard to keep him from coming with us to America. Satan is not happy that there will be another saved soul who will speak God! God is so good though and always prevails!
I love Joshua 1:9...."Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be dismayed; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go!"
We will fight for Sasha because when we have God's love in us, we are able to accomplish well beyond our limitations of the flesh! We will not give up and although the journey may be long and difficult, it is all worth it. Sasha is a little boy who deserves a chance to have a family who loves him.
Thanks for your prayers!
m and j
Thursday, October 14, 2010
bummer!
It was about 3:00 our time when we received the call that the paperwork was ready but that the judge would not try our case tomorrow. It looks like he is taking 4 days off for his birthday and will not be back until Tuesday. Like my sweet friend Amy said...."this sucks!" That's the only thing that comes to mind right now. It's just too much for us at the moment....but we trust that God has a plan and has the best outcome for us.
We learned also today that our interpol clearance (clearance that we have not broken any laws in the entire world) just cleared yesterday. God had a plan when he brought us a month later than our original date....because we would have had to wait 1 1/2 months for the clearance if we came on September 2nd. OMG....we would have not made it that long! God's timing!
We had an absolutely awesome day with Sasha. I have the sweetest husband who played basketball for hours with all fhe boys. The boys hung on him and loved the attention. Jeff kept passing the ball to Sasha behind his back, over his head and under his legs. Sasha would follow suit and pass it the way Jeff passed it to him. It was precious.
When the 6 on 6 was being played, kids on Sasha's team would yell out to him, "Lebedev." That's his Ukrainian last name. Anyway, Jeff and I started saying, " Pass it Nyman." He would get a smile on his face...so precious!
We are having to wait for 5 more days and Jeff and I feel like we ran a marathon of 24 miles and someone just said, "Hey you gotta run 5 more miles." ahhhhhhh! We have no words and don't know what to say. I think we are still in shock.
God must want us to empty ourselves out. We feel empty.....He wants to have us emptied so only He can fill us up. We know He must have a lot of work to do on us. He is pushing us to our limit, but will never give us more than we can handle. We have so many questions and don't understand .....BUT GOD! BUT GOD IS IN CONTROL!!!
We had a fun night actually. We went to a restaurant and this russian couple and their friends had brought a record player from 1935. They were celebrating a special holiday TODAY and they were dancing and asked us to join them. Jeff and I were like dumb and dumber and didn't know how to respond. Thank goodness Ksenia was there. We danced with them and had soooo much fun. God knew we needed a fun night. Then the beautiful Russian woman sat down with us and spoke truth to us. She said, "Today is God's day and we are celebrating Mother Mary watching over all of God's children....we are praying for patience and love for you." When we told her we were adopting a Ukrainan boy in the orphanage she said, "God will bring him to your wonderful family and will bless you! She was amazing and we were quite inspired by this woman whom we had never met before. She said God will bless you and you need to be strong. God's timing is perfect and speaks to us in many ways! It was a WOW moment Laurie!
My sweet bible study called tonight by Skype. I love my friends and feel so blessed! Thank you Brenda P, Jamie, Brenda J, Mary, Joy, Karen, Natalie, and anyone else who was in the background. I am honored to be your friend and I hope I can be as good of friend to you as you have been to me. I appreciate ya'll so much. It was emotional talking to you but it was pure joy! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for thinking of us. We love ya'll so much!
Anyway, please continue to pray for Sasha! He is still getting persecuted and has much to deal with here. Pray for protection for him. We have heard so many bad things that are occuring at here....there is true evilness at that orphanage.....God wants us to get our son home!
Thanks for prayers...love to you all,
m and j
We learned also today that our interpol clearance (clearance that we have not broken any laws in the entire world) just cleared yesterday. God had a plan when he brought us a month later than our original date....because we would have had to wait 1 1/2 months for the clearance if we came on September 2nd. OMG....we would have not made it that long! God's timing!
We had an absolutely awesome day with Sasha. I have the sweetest husband who played basketball for hours with all fhe boys. The boys hung on him and loved the attention. Jeff kept passing the ball to Sasha behind his back, over his head and under his legs. Sasha would follow suit and pass it the way Jeff passed it to him. It was precious.
When the 6 on 6 was being played, kids on Sasha's team would yell out to him, "Lebedev." That's his Ukrainian last name. Anyway, Jeff and I started saying, " Pass it Nyman." He would get a smile on his face...so precious!
We are having to wait for 5 more days and Jeff and I feel like we ran a marathon of 24 miles and someone just said, "Hey you gotta run 5 more miles." ahhhhhhh! We have no words and don't know what to say. I think we are still in shock.
God must want us to empty ourselves out. We feel empty.....He wants to have us emptied so only He can fill us up. We know He must have a lot of work to do on us. He is pushing us to our limit, but will never give us more than we can handle. We have so many questions and don't understand .....BUT GOD! BUT GOD IS IN CONTROL!!!
We had a fun night actually. We went to a restaurant and this russian couple and their friends had brought a record player from 1935. They were celebrating a special holiday TODAY and they were dancing and asked us to join them. Jeff and I were like dumb and dumber and didn't know how to respond. Thank goodness Ksenia was there. We danced with them and had soooo much fun. God knew we needed a fun night. Then the beautiful Russian woman sat down with us and spoke truth to us. She said, "Today is God's day and we are celebrating Mother Mary watching over all of God's children....we are praying for patience and love for you." When we told her we were adopting a Ukrainan boy in the orphanage she said, "God will bring him to your wonderful family and will bless you! She was amazing and we were quite inspired by this woman whom we had never met before. She said God will bless you and you need to be strong. God's timing is perfect and speaks to us in many ways! It was a WOW moment Laurie!
My sweet bible study called tonight by Skype. I love my friends and feel so blessed! Thank you Brenda P, Jamie, Brenda J, Mary, Joy, Karen, Natalie, and anyone else who was in the background. I am honored to be your friend and I hope I can be as good of friend to you as you have been to me. I appreciate ya'll so much. It was emotional talking to you but it was pure joy! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for thinking of us. We love ya'll so much!
Anyway, please continue to pray for Sasha! He is still getting persecuted and has much to deal with here. Pray for protection for him. We have heard so many bad things that are occuring at here....there is true evilness at that orphanage.....God wants us to get our son home!
Thanks for prayers...love to you all,
m and j
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