WOW...March! - just a few pic updates

The diapers arrived safely!
ABOVE:  The items for the newborn packs.  40 diapers, Story Bible, receiving blanket, one reusable bag
BELOW:  A quick pic of the production line workers who put the bags together.
I wish we had pics of the people in America who packed all those diapers !
THANKS...you should be posted here too!  

Karissa working on making home medical packs for church members.
The bags included:
 two toothbrushes, two toothpastes, 12 bandages, soap, cotton balls,
swabs, lip balm, gauze,  and any other items we could find to fill the bags.  
 Twenty packs were made for church members 
and for them to give to neighbors and friends.
Everyone who received this small gift were very thankful.

Sunday afternoon dinner.
 Back together in Ukraine with Vitaliy and Oleg.

 Black Lightning 
 Mike's favorite Russian movie (and everyone's too)

Oleg draws a picture of Mike (on the wall in the background) as Black Lightning.


 Oleg antics - having fun, but why after 11pm.... :/ :) ?

New Blog Addition - Recipes

Mike and I have been talking about ways to improve our blog.  We added new pages on the side bar for readers to explore. One of these new additions to the blog is titled Recipes.  

The purpose of this new page is to share recipes that we always loved as a family, brought to Ukraine and have shared with our young people and other visitors while we have been here in Ukraine.  Most importantly though is that we also want to share new and delicious recipes we've learned or created while living here.   

All of the recipes are favorites of our family AND those we've welcomed into our home.  

SPECIAL NOTE:  If you will be hosting a Ukrainian child, have adopted eastern European children or plan to, the authentic Ukrainian dishes may be a good way to comfort or bond as a family.  

Enjoy!

Happy 20th Birthday Vitaliy!

WHAT MAKES IT WORTH BEING HERE?

We didn't give today much thought other than hoping he'd have a good day 

like any other birthday of our biological children.

Then after dinner and cake he came into the kitchen.  I was doing dishes.  He thanked me with his usual big smile.  Then he said last year and this year were his best birthdays.  

"They were very, very good....with family."

I wasn't surprised that he was happy about today, 

but I was touched that he was reflecting on last year's birthday also.  

Then we sang worship songs together, his favorite thing to do this weekend. )))

ABOVE:  celebrating his 20th
BELOW:  celebrating his 19th

HAPPY 12th Birthday Karissa! We love you!

Remember Christian....

But the Lord is the true God;
    he is the living God and the everlasting King.

Philippians 4:13 (ESV)

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

Isaiah 40:11 (ESV)

11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
    he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
    and gently lead those that are with young.

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[a] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

John 6:37 (ESV)

37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

John 10:9 (ESV)

9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.

Isaiah 41:13 (ESV)

13 For I, the Lord your God,
    hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, “Fear not,
    I am the one who helps you.”

Isaiah 42:6 (ESV)

6 “I am the Lord; I have called you[a] in righteousness;
    I will take you by the hand and keep you;
I will give you as a covenant for the people,
    a light for the nations,

Psalm 55:22 (ESV)

22 Cast your burden on the Lord,
    and he will sustain you;
he will never permit
    the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 73:23 (ESV)

23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
    you hold my right hand.

Psalm 109:31 (NIV)

31 For he stands at the right hand of the needy,
    to save their lives from those who would condemn them.

Psalm 37:24 (NIV)

24 though he may stumble, he will not fall,
    for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

Matthew 6:34 (NIV)

34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)

5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Psalm 119:173 (ESV)

173 Let your hand be ready to help me,
    for I have chosen your precepts.

Genesis 28:15 (ESV)

15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Psalm 121:5 (ESV)

5 The Lord is your keeper;
    the Lord is your shade on your right hand.

Psalm 100:3 (ESV)

3 Know that the Lord, he is God!
    It is he who made us, and we are his;[a]
    we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Proverbs 3:5 (ESV)

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.