Day 5 - America

Yesterday was a great day. Equipped with a good night's sleep I woke up ready for whatever the day would bring and as it turned out, it was pretty laid back anyway. We hung around the house all day and finally that afternoon I had to run the grocery store. Vika wanted to go so she and Kayla piled in the van with me and we headed to Publix. I just didn't think I wanted to introduce Vika to Walmart in Phenix City on the 4th of July. (Its still a little overwhelming for me, folks.) 



She was very excited to go and really wanted to push the cart. We walked through the store and she was rather quiet except for the few times she saw something she recognized. The she would say "Mama! Sausage!" as if to show off her English. I decided to get some soda, which is a treat at our house since I don't want the kids drinking it in a regular basis. I picked it up and showed her and said "soda" and she smiled and said "Coca-cola". Yes, coca cola is another one of those universal things! She didn't ask for anything while we were there so I pulled out my handy dandy Google translator to ask if there was something special she would like to try. She smiled and shrugged. She didn't even know what to ask for. I already had a few treats planned over the next week so we headed out and she finally asked for a pack of gum at the register. This girl loves her gum. 




We came home and I made dinner before we headed to the 4th of July celebration downtown. We joined up with some friends and watched some people performing before the fireworks show. It amazes me the little things that bring such awe for Vika. Of course she was extremely excited to see the crowds, the vendors, and all of the excitement. But she showed genuine awe and excitement when people would lose their balloons and they flew up in the sky. I mean the girl still expresses awe over ice cubes. Yes, ice cubes. She puts them in her cup and pushes them down a few times to watch them float back up. 

Sorry about the picture quality- I was taking them with my phone!

So, we had been looking forward to her experiencing the fireworks. And she was excited as we had predicted. It is such a rewarding thing. When Brian and I had all the kids in bed last night he compared it to all those special moments you get to experience as your child grows up- and you witness all their firsts and the wonder and excitement that comes along with it. When you host a child who comes from hard places where they have nothing, you get the honor of witnessing all those firsts wrapped up in one week. He commented, "Its a strange thing to be able to check off someone's entire bucket list in a week". I agree. It's an odd feeling. 

I don't recommend taking firework pictures with a phone. But whatev. 

America!!!

I spent 11 years as a military wife so I suppose I will always feel pride when I hear the national anthem and always get a little teary when they raise a flag. I have had a glimpse of the sacrifice behind that flag. But to watch these celebrations with someone who knows nothing of our abundant blessings.... makes me more aware than ever how much we have. Brian spent three years in Iraq and has witnessed so much that gives him some frame of reference to understand what it might be like for her to have nothing and come here and suddenly have everything. I have never known anything but American abundance so it's hard to wrap my mind around. 



It is overwhelming because as great as it is it begs the question... what then? Are we making a long term impact? We felt called to live out Isaiah 1:17 and bring justice to the orphan but I keep praying "Lord, what does justice for Vika look like"? But I know I tend to rush ahead. So I remind myself that it is only Day 5. And I remember how excited she was and how tight she squeezed me before bed. And I have to be thankful for that and rest in something I heard in a song yesterday at that celebration. 



"No one knows what tomorrow holds except the One who holds tomorrow." 
                        - Jonathan and Lisa Moore






God bless America. 

Misconceptions and Revelations - Day 2

I guess before I continue any further I can address some misconceptions that have come up. The first being that some people seem to think we are brave.... or worse, "awesome". I shudder a little bit at that because I know me. I am only in this because there is that part of me that believes that if God has shown me this much grace and love He will use me to show the same to others. A more accurate description would be, as they say, a beggar just telling other beggars where to find bread. I appreciate all of your kind words, emails, texts, etc though and I do know what you are trying to say. It stirs my heart to see God working in others and I am glad to hear that sharing what He is doing here has stirred some of yours. 

I know the question is on the tip of your tongues so I might as well address it. Everyone wants to know if we are going to end up adopting Vika. I'm going to be just as honest as I know how- we didn't enter this with that intention. There would be a million and one barriers to making that happen. We are taking deep breaths and taking this day by day.... 110% confident that God is actively at work and has a SPECIFIC plan for this sweet girl. His ways are not our ways and His ways are ALWAYS better... so we are taking one day at a time and clinging to Him as our guide as we try to figure out our part here. 


So one day at a time is how we entered day 2. The language barrier is hard but she is beginning to attempt to say a few words and we are learning a few of hers. We fumble our way through communicating and she is getting more comfortable here. We took her to church this morning and she was clinging to us like glue, yet seemed happy. Brian made fried rice for lunch and she loved it. She was amazed that not only can Mama drive but Papa can cook! Amazing! :) 


Some things are universal. 


Like painting nails. 


And braiding hair.... 

... And ice cream! 

We went to an ice cream social at church and she had a blast. She made herself a huge bowl of ice cream and clearly began to feel more comfortable there. I'm so, so thankful for my church and how they have been so eager to just love on her. 

Aiden (6) must have said her name 543895830425 times today. Brian and I joked we would be so tired of him if we were her, but she seems to adore him. When he isn't speaking Spanish words to her he is talking like normal but moving his hands around as if that counts as charades. "Vika, Vika, Vika, Vika.... VIKA!" Oh my. But she picks him up and hugs him tight, smiles at him and says "I love you"!

I think she was surprised to find that Brian is very silly and actually plays with the kids. When she got here she didn't know exactly what to think of him, but after his antics she has warmed up and will even go up to him for a hug. I want you to know I have permission to post the following video. Thanks, Brian, for being a good sport. AND an awesome dancer! 

Yes, folks... that is how Brian won her over. By the way, she tried the Just Dance game, too. This girl isn't afraid to try new things. I keep wondering about her story and it is like each day I get a new piece of the puzzle, but only one at a time. 

Today that piece was a good one. I asked her how to say Jesus and then I told her Jesus loves her. She smiled and said "yes." I asked if she knew that and her eyes lit up and she said "yes!" I asked HOW she knew that and she smiled warmly and replied "babuska". 

Grandma. 

Our conversation was interrupted as the girls yelled that someone was shooting fireworks. All the kids ran outside and I followed behind wanting to see her reaction to these things I had tried to explain to her. A distant neighbor shot one up and she said "WHOA" and then clapped and squealed with excitement. 

When the excitement died down I wanted to ask her more but I decided it had been a long day and I was exhausted so I told them it was bedtime. She seems thrilled that I tuck her in at night. I wonder if she has ever been tucked in or if it has just been a really, really long time. I guess I will see the big picture eventually, but for now God seems content to reveal one little piece at a time. For now His instructions are clear and simple "cling to Me the way she clings to you. Follow Me as closely as she follows you." 

So we follow. 

PRAISE REPORT!!!

Man I love these!!!! A couple of days ago I shared a story with you about a boy named Davids who was in desperate need of a family. Well, I am happy to report HE HAS ONE!!! Praise the Lord, Who hears our prayers and answers them! I hope there will be more information coming soon. Lisa, (the mom who hosted him here in the states) posted the update here on her blog.

Thanks for all the prayers. The Lord is so faithful. I will continue to follow this story and hope one day soon we see Davids in a family photo. :) Can you get enough of watching God come to the rescue and answer prayers? I can't!!!

Taste and see that the Lord is good!!