Who knew?!

Blog post #2, people. Look out!

As some of you may have read on Facebook, Saturday the host families attended an all day training.  Hence my title "Who knew?!"  It was definitely an eye opener, and so helpful as we prepare for Alyona's arrival on the 16th!  For example, giving someone a kiss on the forehead is really bad luck.  It's like the kiss of death and says, "you're gonna die soon- I'm saying goodbye."  Ack!  Good to know!

The orphans will be traveling by foot, bus, train and plane.  Their travel will be around 36 hours.  Won't the kids being hosted in Richmond be excited when they learn of the 2 hour car ride from Dulles at 10pm?  Ugh!  As you can imagine, the jet lag (Ukraine is 7 hours ahead of us), will make for some exhausted travelers.  They might be zombies, they might be flopped on the floor in tears, or they might be going on adrenaline and smiling from ear to ear!  The host families will be greeting them with a poster with their child's name and photo on it, and a stuffed animal.  Then, it's hug time.  Not a side hug, and not a lousy "nice to meet you" hand shake...a bear hug!  I was more than a little excited when we were given those instructions, to be totally honest!!  I am a hugger and I don't speak Russian!  What I didn't realize, is that they might not have a clue what we're doing.  And I quote, "some of these kids have never been hugged, so they won't know what to do.  It's your job to teach them."  Just typing this is bringing tears to my eyes.  Our children are hugged and kissed and told "I love you" each and every day, and it's all they've ever known.  Such a reminder that family is a blessing.  Loving parents are a BLESSING!

We were warned that the kids will probably be super stinky, and regardless of what time we arrive home, they are to get a tour of the house,  shower and get clean pajamas on, and then we check for lice.  Oh dear.  Really hoping we dodge a bullet with that one.  We will teach them how to put their TP in the toilet and flush, rather than the trash can like they do at the orphanage.  We'll teach them how to function in a family unit, and what loving parents look like.  Seeing a husband hug his wife, or a daddy get down on the floor and play a game with his kids is totally new to them... and they love it.  (I have warned our kids that if they fight with each other loudly in front of Alyona, I will go 50 shades of crazy on them.  Privately, of course.)

We were told that these kids are basically self sufficient by age 4.  Can you even imagine?  Yesterday, Loren was home sick from school, with a fever and a stomach bug.  Several times I would hear her call from the couch, "Mom!  I need you!"  Although we are thankful for the care that Alyona has received in the orphanage (she is getting an education and 3 meals a day), there is nobody there who truly cares about her.  No mom to help when she's throwing up, or to draw a warm bubble bath for her if she has the chills.  No daddy to tell her she's the prettiest girl in the world, and model for her how a man is to treat her (with respect and gentleness).  No parents to give her rules and boundaries and say, "That's NOT ok- let's figure out a better way."  No parents to buy her the perfect Christmas gift (at the orphanage they get socks and chocolate on "St Nicholas Day", but do not get presents for Christmas because there is just no money.) 

The training made me even more excited for her arrival.  I'm not an idiot- I know there will be challenges.  But, there is SO much that I just can't wait for,  and having her here will be our best Christmas present, for sure.  I can't wait to bake Christmas cookies with her.  To take her for a mom/daughter pedicure and to see the Nutcracker.  I can't wait to brush and blow dry her hair, like I do for Loren.  Not because she can't do it herself, but because it's just nice to be taken care of.  Amen?!   I can't wait to just sit on the floor under the glow of the Christmas tree and play games that don't require reading English.  To let her join in when we snuggle up on the king size bed before bedtime to read a chapter book.  To take her to our church's Christmas eve service and to see her face on Christmas morning when she realizes that some of the gifts under the tree are for her.

Being hosted and coming to the states is a huge privilege for the kids that are hosted.  Why is it that I feel like the lucky one?!

Psalm 68:6
"God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy."