Well we had the farewell party hosted by New Horizons. Basically all of the Russian and Latvian kids, their host families, chaperones, and NH leadership gather for one final get-together before the departure. We went to Sun Valley Beach near Hiram.
All of the host families got to share stories between each other - some good and some bad. Those who are planning to adopt have a confidence and smile about them. Those undecided and not ready to adopt definitely showed sadness. And we were on the sadness end.
It was basically a flashback of five weeks right before my eyes. The first half seemed to go so slow and the second half seemed to blow by so quickly it didn't seem like we had enough hours in the day to do everything we wanted or needed to do.
For me it was hard because I got to spend more one on one time with both Rebeka and Roberts. With me working, Brooke has handled the greater load of either individual time (rarely) or just huge blocks of all 5 kids at once. but tonight with the little ones away, we had Eileen, Rebeka and Roberts. Brooke was the photographer and beach monitor. I was the one getting wet, herding the kids, and of course having the fun. Nothing better than being an adult but having the excuse to ride down water slides with a 6 and 8 year old.
But it was hard. As Brooke said, it was a really good night but yet a really bad night. The realization that we're sending them back came hitting hard. We've heard enough stories from Rebeka and seen enough behavior (music and television influences - cultural ones) to know they are good kids being lured into some very bad paths in life. In my "save the world" mentality as Brooke likes to say, I want to just find a way to keep them here and try to steer and keep them on the right path. But God has not shown this as His will. And we can only pray that His will will be shown soon. No rush.
We've tried to fulfill a first mission of setting things right by showing them Christ and the love that comes with Him all crammed into 5 weeks. Now we've created a second mission for ourselves of finding a 'forever family' for these two kids. Perhaps God will tap us on the shoulder one day in the near future and tell us we are the ones. But until then we pray and we try to remain influences in Rebeka and Roberts' lives.
If anything, we can say how much having them has influenced our own lives. If anything, my own life, my marriage, my relationship with my kids, with others, and my own faith have been tested in good ways. I've learned more about each of these areas than I ever thought imaginable. I went on a mission trip 8 years ago thinking I would go to change others' lives or at least influence them. Instead, I came back with my own life changed. Rebeka and Roberts have done the same thing.
Now we are down to the last couple of days. Most of it will be panicking over packing and making sure we have everything together. Of course it will also involve pictures, lots of hugs, quiet moments, hectic moments, meltdowns, etc. But we have to enjoy every single moment. We're still planting the seeds. What we show these kids are what they have to define a family, relationships, and love. What we show even in these last few days are the hope they have of breaking this cycle that seems to continue not just in Latvia or Russia but in countries everywhere. We're doing our calling from God in this little corner of the world with two great kids. We can only pray that we have given them a good image and memory to take back and then let God, who is always in control, do the rest.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
Coats, etc...
We found coats at Burlington Coat Factory (even though their website said they don't have little girl coats, they do carry them in store) thanks to Aunt Jackie! Thank you so much!! Their coats are perfect and look so good on them!
I guess we really only need a few more things...boots, gloves and toys and gifts to send back to people. Packing it all and getting it to weigh no more than 50lbs is probably going to be the second biggest challenge we will face in the coming week...followed by saying goodbye.
We found a picture on the internet of their orphanage director and found their orphanage on google maps so we have a better understanding of where they are. Although I was disturbed to hear Rebeka say that there are big boys in the room next to her group of girls. She was very excited though to show us where things in Latvia are and where she has been.
Our friends, Jack & Stephanie, received some discouraging news today that Russia is not accepting some kind of paperwork until August 12 and probably they will not have Anya home until September. Please be in prayer for them and for Anya as she begins school September 1st wondering why they haven't come to get her yet. You can read their blog and find out exactly what's going on by clicking on the link on our page.
Please continue to be in prayer for the host children in America that still need forever families. Selfishly I ask that you especially be in prayer for Rebeka & Roberts' forever family.
Brooke
I guess we really only need a few more things...boots, gloves and toys and gifts to send back to people. Packing it all and getting it to weigh no more than 50lbs is probably going to be the second biggest challenge we will face in the coming week...followed by saying goodbye.
We found a picture on the internet of their orphanage director and found their orphanage on google maps so we have a better understanding of where they are. Although I was disturbed to hear Rebeka say that there are big boys in the room next to her group of girls. She was very excited though to show us where things in Latvia are and where she has been.
Our friends, Jack & Stephanie, received some discouraging news today that Russia is not accepting some kind of paperwork until August 12 and probably they will not have Anya home until September. Please be in prayer for them and for Anya as she begins school September 1st wondering why they haven't come to get her yet. You can read their blog and find out exactly what's going on by clicking on the link on our page.
Please continue to be in prayer for the host children in America that still need forever families. Selfishly I ask that you especially be in prayer for Rebeka & Roberts' forever family.
Brooke
Thursday, July 24, 2008
A Venting Session
So, I'm having lots of trouble finding a jacket for Rebeka to send back to Latvia. It is one of the things we need to send home with her. And it needs to be knee or calf length and filled with down or something similar since it's so very cold over there. I have been searching and searching the internet and can't come up with anything under $100...In fact the only thing I did find was $199 and I'm sorry, but I can't do that! I also have to find one for Robbie but it doesn't have to be a long jacket so that will be easier. So, if anyone out there reading this happens to have one or knows where we can find one, please let me know!!
Enough venting...for now.
I wanted to let everyone know that NHFC has pictures and biographies of children here that still need forever families up on there website. When I get done with this post, I will put a link on the side of our page to them. Rebeka & Robbie are on there as well as about 40 other children. Please pray for all of them. My heart is broken over sending Rebeka & Roberts back to Latvia without knowing they are going to have a family. Craig and I have come to feel that we are not it but that decision doesn't leave us at peace about anything. I think Rebeka & Roberts need a mom and dad that either have no other children or maybe older children (teenagers or something) because they need to be retrained and retaught a lot of things and they need a lot of one on one attention that is hard to give them when we already have 3 very young children that need the same kind of attention. They haven't had an easy life and need to learn trust as well as appropriate responses and behaviors to things and a lot of that will take time and lots of attention. It's hard for us because we love these kids so much. Today, Rebeka was off playing and I heard her softly crying. When I went to check on her she started crying more and said, "Me America--me no Latvia!! Please mommy!" I asked her if she didn't like Latvia and she said she did but still "Me America!" I tried to explain to her that she has to go back and she then said "Me Latvia, You Latvia, Mommy." These children need a family. They need to know that kind of love. It made me so sad and upset that I wanted to change my mind and say yes to adopting just so they won't be sad! I think she thinks that if she is good enough, nice enough or asks me the right way that she won't have to go back. Please pray that a Christian family will come along for them! And pray for all of us as we enter the last week they are here with us. It will be very sad.
Brooke
Enough venting...for now.
I wanted to let everyone know that NHFC has pictures and biographies of children here that still need forever families up on there website. When I get done with this post, I will put a link on the side of our page to them. Rebeka & Robbie are on there as well as about 40 other children. Please pray for all of them. My heart is broken over sending Rebeka & Roberts back to Latvia without knowing they are going to have a family. Craig and I have come to feel that we are not it but that decision doesn't leave us at peace about anything. I think Rebeka & Roberts need a mom and dad that either have no other children or maybe older children (teenagers or something) because they need to be retrained and retaught a lot of things and they need a lot of one on one attention that is hard to give them when we already have 3 very young children that need the same kind of attention. They haven't had an easy life and need to learn trust as well as appropriate responses and behaviors to things and a lot of that will take time and lots of attention. It's hard for us because we love these kids so much. Today, Rebeka was off playing and I heard her softly crying. When I went to check on her she started crying more and said, "Me America--me no Latvia!! Please mommy!" I asked her if she didn't like Latvia and she said she did but still "Me America!" I tried to explain to her that she has to go back and she then said "Me Latvia, You Latvia, Mommy." These children need a family. They need to know that kind of love. It made me so sad and upset that I wanted to change my mind and say yes to adopting just so they won't be sad! I think she thinks that if she is good enough, nice enough or asks me the right way that she won't have to go back. Please pray that a Christian family will come along for them! And pray for all of us as we enter the last week they are here with us. It will be very sad.
Brooke
Friday, July 18, 2008
Undecided
So, we checked undecided and faxed it in--a day late but we wanted a little more time to pray about it. We literally go back and forth everyday between yes and no. I seriously wish God would post it on a billboard somewhere....or if I could open my Bible and see written on the page: "Helf family--the answer is..." with a yes or no following it. I've never been very good at waiting for anything.
We have arrived at Nana's and Papa's for the Hicks reunion. There will be a bunch of people here tomorrow--a lot of whom Rebeka & Roberts haven't met yet. I'm very excited but I'm sure they will be shy at first like they usually are. They probably think we're the craziest family ever with having to meet so many people all the time!
Rebeka is starting to listen a tad better to us after a brief talk with Ginta (the chaperone from her orphanage) but she is still testing, which I know is normal. However, knowing it's normal doesn't make it any easier to deal with. I have seen a change in her though. She has opened up to us more and tells us about her life in Latvia. It's tough to hear. It's easy to forget that horrible things happen to other people every second when we live in a "sheltered" box.
We still need your prayers about everything. Since we checked undecided, we now have to send in a biography and pictures of the kids to NHFC so that they can try to find other families who might want to meet them to see if they would like to adopt them. I think that will be both a good thing and an incredibly hard thing.
Brooke
We have arrived at Nana's and Papa's for the Hicks reunion. There will be a bunch of people here tomorrow--a lot of whom Rebeka & Roberts haven't met yet. I'm very excited but I'm sure they will be shy at first like they usually are. They probably think we're the craziest family ever with having to meet so many people all the time!
Rebeka is starting to listen a tad better to us after a brief talk with Ginta (the chaperone from her orphanage) but she is still testing, which I know is normal. However, knowing it's normal doesn't make it any easier to deal with. I have seen a change in her though. She has opened up to us more and tells us about her life in Latvia. It's tough to hear. It's easy to forget that horrible things happen to other people every second when we live in a "sheltered" box.
We still need your prayers about everything. Since we checked undecided, we now have to send in a biography and pictures of the kids to NHFC so that they can try to find other families who might want to meet them to see if they would like to adopt them. I think that will be both a good thing and an incredibly hard thing.
Brooke
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Urgent Prayer for God's Wisdom
Okay so we're not tied down to a firm decision or anything, but tomorrow NHFC is asking for all the host families intentions of whether or not we are adopting. We are allowed an "undecided for now" as an answer. HOWEVER Craig and I don't yet have a peace about "yes", "no", or "undecided." I know that sounds silly, but everytime we go to check the undecided option neither of us feel like it is the right thing to do. Please pray that God will put the answer for us clearly in writing---sometime before tomorrow is over with!
Thank you everyone for reading and keeping up and for all of your prayers!
Brooke
Thank you everyone for reading and keeping up and for all of your prayers!
Brooke
Monday, July 14, 2008
Yard Sale A Success
Well it was very successful. I think we picked the absolute hottest day of the year (not really but it seemed like it). Besides lack of sleep and constant lifting and moving, I personally was beat by 3pm Saturday.
But nothing amazes me more than the hearts of people when it comes to helping a good cause. We had several friends, family, and fellow church members give 110% to this on a beautiful Saturday in the Summer. I cannot thank everyone who helped enough. I also cannot thank those who donated clothes, money, etc. to the cause as well. We raised a couple thousand and cleared under $2K. For our first fundraiser and all of the overhead with an initial event, this was amazing. God blessed us exceedingly and abundantly.
Brooke was in the trenches keeping our herd in line. Merrick got sick and the fear was that we'd go the usual route and pass a bug around the whole family and thus make the remaining time R and R were here miserable. But we've managed to only deal with fevers and hope the worst is over.
Merrick's "Latvian" vocabulary increases every day. He gets mad and just pokes his lips out and yells "biska biska" at everyone. Not sure what that means. I just hope it's not some Latvian obscene phrase. He tries his best to just sound Latvian and will go on just babbling endlessly when talking to Rebeka or Roberts.
Rebeka opened up to some very heartbreaking stories of her life. And yes, it's OK for a man to cry. I couldn't believe what all she said and can only guess this was only a fraction of what she's seen. It really makes your heart break for these kids knowing that many coming to orphanages later after birth have probably experienced life that none of us could ever dream of.
Back to happy thoughts. Over the weekend Rebeka discovered Eileen's battery powered Barbie Jeep. All Rebeka wants to do is ride the "Barbie machina" first thing in the morning. I give her one thing - the girl has persistence down pat. We've tried saying "no" in about 5 languages with little luck. But I'd rather her ask to ride that than most of the other things she's asked repeatedly.
That's all for now. We have to attempt to get more sleep. We've seemed to have lost both sleeping and eating in the past few weeks.
But nothing amazes me more than the hearts of people when it comes to helping a good cause. We had several friends, family, and fellow church members give 110% to this on a beautiful Saturday in the Summer. I cannot thank everyone who helped enough. I also cannot thank those who donated clothes, money, etc. to the cause as well. We raised a couple thousand and cleared under $2K. For our first fundraiser and all of the overhead with an initial event, this was amazing. God blessed us exceedingly and abundantly.
Brooke was in the trenches keeping our herd in line. Merrick got sick and the fear was that we'd go the usual route and pass a bug around the whole family and thus make the remaining time R and R were here miserable. But we've managed to only deal with fevers and hope the worst is over.
Merrick's "Latvian" vocabulary increases every day. He gets mad and just pokes his lips out and yells "biska biska" at everyone. Not sure what that means. I just hope it's not some Latvian obscene phrase. He tries his best to just sound Latvian and will go on just babbling endlessly when talking to Rebeka or Roberts.
Rebeka opened up to some very heartbreaking stories of her life. And yes, it's OK for a man to cry. I couldn't believe what all she said and can only guess this was only a fraction of what she's seen. It really makes your heart break for these kids knowing that many coming to orphanages later after birth have probably experienced life that none of us could ever dream of.
Back to happy thoughts. Over the weekend Rebeka discovered Eileen's battery powered Barbie Jeep. All Rebeka wants to do is ride the "Barbie machina" first thing in the morning. I give her one thing - the girl has persistence down pat. We've tried saying "no" in about 5 languages with little luck. But I'd rather her ask to ride that than most of the other things she's asked repeatedly.
That's all for now. We have to attempt to get more sleep. We've seemed to have lost both sleeping and eating in the past few weeks.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Huge Yard Sale & BBQ
We will be having a huge yard sale and BBQ to benefit Precious In His Sight, Inc at Youth Middle School on Hwy 81 in Loganville from 7:00 AM until 3:00PM. The BBQ starts at 11:00. If you want to rent a space, it's $20 and you keep the profits or if you want to come shop, please do! BBQ plates are $7. There will be moon walks and other bouncey equipment for the kids and free popcorn from 10-2 provided by Woodlake Baptist Church so plan to come, bring the kids, and have some fun, food, fellowship and shopping!!
Pray that we all get extremely restful sleep because the sleeping will not be able to last very long!! We're in for a late night and super early morning!!
Pray that we all get extremely restful sleep because the sleeping will not be able to last very long!! We're in for a late night and super early morning!!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Dentist
I took the kids to the dentist today. They both did so well, although Rebeka was so nervous that he was going to pull one of her teeth out! She apparently had a lot of work done when she was in America at Christmas. The dentist, John Simmons, was so great and did the cleanings for free!! Thank you so much!! That being said, Rebeka has 3 cavities that need to be filled and even with a discount it's going to cost about $736 which is money we don't have. I am just praying that God will provide and that we don't have to send her back to Latvia with cavities!
The children have been having a blast at VBS this week! We will try to post pictures soon!
thanks for the prayers!!
Brooke
The children have been having a blast at VBS this week! We will try to post pictures soon!
thanks for the prayers!!
Brooke
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Going places with 5 children
We get looks now from other people--looks that say, "Are they crazy??!!" We get really strange looks from other adults when Rebeka, 8, says things like, "Me, Mommy, want icecream" who apparently think we are letting her talk like a baby and don't approve. Sometimes I will say, "She doesn't speak much english" and for some reason they just laugh it off like I joking or something. It's all very strange! :) Going to Kroger tonight was VERY interesting. We had Robbie and Merrick in the 2 seater buggie, Rebeka and Eileen were each pushing their own kid-sized cart and Craig was holding Addie. Rebeka & Eileen of course wanted equal amounts of everything in their buggies and were all excited when they each picked the same toothbrush to buy! (Don't worry, they're in separate spots so they don't get mixed up!) Rebeka is in sensory overload everywhere we go. She wants everything she sees!
The past 2 days have been MUCH calmer than Monday! Thank goodness! There have still been some stressful moments but over all it has been rather nice. Occasionally Rebeka & Eileen will argue over something silly and I have to play referee and occasionally the same will happen with Roberts and Merrick but it all ends as quickly as it began and they are playing happily together again. I think they wouldn't have as many of those arguements if the language barrier wasn't there. Most of them are out of not being able to communicate with each other.
We went to the laser show last night at Stone Mountain. I was so stressed about going and trying to keep up with all the children but it was really very nice. We ate a picnic dinner on the lawn and then played some soccer and frisbee and took a lot of pictures--which I will try to post tomorrow. (I know I keep saying that but I'm not good at all this stuff!) Rebeka is like a model. She would pose herself and then say, "Daddy, photo--me!" Then she grabbed the camera and took some pictures too! Stephanie got a GREAT picture of Eileen, Rebeka & Faith that I can't wait to put on here! Rebeka fell asleep for most of the laser show unless a firework went off. That was the only part she really enjoyed of the actual laser show. :)
I took the kids up to Bob Bailey's today. Another interesting outing! Nick wasn't there (much to Eileen's disappointment) because his baby was just born!! Congratulations! Amanda (and the kitties) weren't there either since she's in Jordan with Mr. B and everyone else. Bobby said, "Brooke--I think you need a few more kids." Rebeka saw my desk (yes I still called it mine--after all no one else is sitting there yet cause Brett hasn't moved in there) and thought it was funny that I worked there. I'm not sure she understood that I don't work there anymore but that's okay. Part of me will probably always feel like I work there. :) They are my family! I miss you guys! (But I don't miss coming to work and leaving my kids!)
Tomorrow evening we are leaving for Nana's house for the weekend! I usually look at that as a relaxing time but I'm thinking there won't be a whole lot of that going on! We will hopefully be there in enough time to watch the fireworks in Macaysville. I think the kids will enjoy that and then on Saturday there is a parade. :) And we can go to Sweet Treats (yummy) which will make Rebeka very happy to get her favorite food--icecream. Nana will have a full house with the 7 of us, plus Nannie Massey and then Friday Chuck, Jackie, Greg & James are coming up too...pray for her and her nerves! Pray for all the kids--that they will remain relatively calm and at a tolerable noise level and that they will get along wonderfully the whole time. :)
Okay, off to bed so I can rest up and start all over again tomorrow! (I know it sounds like I'm complaining, but honestly, I can't imagine life any differently! This is awesome!)
Brooke
The past 2 days have been MUCH calmer than Monday! Thank goodness! There have still been some stressful moments but over all it has been rather nice. Occasionally Rebeka & Eileen will argue over something silly and I have to play referee and occasionally the same will happen with Roberts and Merrick but it all ends as quickly as it began and they are playing happily together again. I think they wouldn't have as many of those arguements if the language barrier wasn't there. Most of them are out of not being able to communicate with each other.
We went to the laser show last night at Stone Mountain. I was so stressed about going and trying to keep up with all the children but it was really very nice. We ate a picnic dinner on the lawn and then played some soccer and frisbee and took a lot of pictures--which I will try to post tomorrow. (I know I keep saying that but I'm not good at all this stuff!) Rebeka is like a model. She would pose herself and then say, "Daddy, photo--me!" Then she grabbed the camera and took some pictures too! Stephanie got a GREAT picture of Eileen, Rebeka & Faith that I can't wait to put on here! Rebeka fell asleep for most of the laser show unless a firework went off. That was the only part she really enjoyed of the actual laser show. :)
I took the kids up to Bob Bailey's today. Another interesting outing! Nick wasn't there (much to Eileen's disappointment) because his baby was just born!! Congratulations! Amanda (and the kitties) weren't there either since she's in Jordan with Mr. B and everyone else. Bobby said, "Brooke--I think you need a few more kids." Rebeka saw my desk (yes I still called it mine--after all no one else is sitting there yet cause Brett hasn't moved in there) and thought it was funny that I worked there. I'm not sure she understood that I don't work there anymore but that's okay. Part of me will probably always feel like I work there. :) They are my family! I miss you guys! (But I don't miss coming to work and leaving my kids!)
Tomorrow evening we are leaving for Nana's house for the weekend! I usually look at that as a relaxing time but I'm thinking there won't be a whole lot of that going on! We will hopefully be there in enough time to watch the fireworks in Macaysville. I think the kids will enjoy that and then on Saturday there is a parade. :) And we can go to Sweet Treats (yummy) which will make Rebeka very happy to get her favorite food--icecream. Nana will have a full house with the 7 of us, plus Nannie Massey and then Friday Chuck, Jackie, Greg & James are coming up too...pray for her and her nerves! Pray for all the kids--that they will remain relatively calm and at a tolerable noise level and that they will get along wonderfully the whole time. :)
Okay, off to bed so I can rest up and start all over again tomorrow! (I know it sounds like I'm complaining, but honestly, I can't imagine life any differently! This is awesome!)
Brooke
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