Well all I can say is it's been a whirl wind of a last 2 months! Though I would like to sit and give extended thoughts to each and every wonderful moment...let's face it, there's just not time for that!
So instead I'll just provide a pictorial review and some brief highlights of how April and May were spent.
Strengthening Families Conference
April began with our Strengthening Families Conference for 100 Ukrainian foster and adoptive families. It was seriously a miracle that we had the event when we did, as if we waited any longer, many families from eastern Ukraine would have not been able to attend due to the continuing conflict in Ukraine. It was a blessed weekend and many were encouraged through our workshops and gifted speakers.
3 days in Armenia
The day the conference ended I flew with some of our US Orphan's Promise staff to Yerevan, Armenia. I oversee our Armenian projects for OP and it was a chance to film some great stories and connect with our team there. Its a beautiful place with the kindest people, and I'm so happy it is now an area I will be visiting more often.
Easter at home
From there it was a quick touch down in Kiev before heading to Seattle for Easter. My first Easter at home in 10 years! It was a chance to celebrate my grandma's 85th birthday with almost all of her grandchildren present.
I also forgot how beautiful the spring is in the Pacific Northwest. I was able to make it to
see the Tulips up north in Mt Vernon. Simply spectacular. And my niece
made for the perfect subject against this stellar background.
Staff Training and CAFO
From there it was off to Virginia for Orphan's Promise staff training and then as a team we flew to Chicago to take part in the Christian Alliance for Orphan's Conference (CAFO). What an amazing event to be a part of. 2,700 people all passionate about Jesus, orphan care and adoption-- doesn't get much better than that!
Little Women at KCA
Touch down back in Kiev and it was time to put on the finishing touches of the play I direct every year at Kiev Christian Academy. This year we took on "Little Women" and it was a huge success! I had the added bonus of having my mom fly over to help me and be my amazing assistant for the week. She is a blessing in my life I thank God for every day.
London!
After we wrapped up the show, KCA finished off the school year with graduations celebrations and my cousin and I went to London for a long weekend! Ever since we did Pride and Prejudice together (the show we did 2 years ago) it was our dream to see England together. So off we went! Thanks to my dear friend Jenny, we had a wonderful place to stay in the city and got to have some sweet time with her as well. It was a wonderful trip. We managed to see 2 shows, 2 museums, drink lots of tea and eat lots of cake and enjoy some London sights and rain (a lot of rain!).
Adoptions
Then I landed back in Kiev to my 2 newest house guests that are in my care this week. Some friends of mine from Seattle are at the end of their adoption process of 2 kids from Donetsk region (so glad they got out!), but had to head home for their daughter's wedding before they could finish the adoption process. So thus I became caregiver to Roma and Natasha this week. We are having fun exploring the city and me trying to teach them a bit of English (trying!)-- today's adventure included a bike trip to the island on the Dnieper River.
And that my friends is why I've not blogged in so long!!
Hope to write more soon and also share a bit more about the current situation in Ukraine and our work with coordinating refugee efforts. Please keep praying for Ukraine and for peace...there is so much need right now.
So instead I'll just provide a pictorial review and some brief highlights of how April and May were spent.
Strengthening Families Conference
April began with our Strengthening Families Conference for 100 Ukrainian foster and adoptive families. It was seriously a miracle that we had the event when we did, as if we waited any longer, many families from eastern Ukraine would have not been able to attend due to the continuing conflict in Ukraine. It was a blessed weekend and many were encouraged through our workshops and gifted speakers.
3 days in Armenia
The day the conference ended I flew with some of our US Orphan's Promise staff to Yerevan, Armenia. I oversee our Armenian projects for OP and it was a chance to film some great stories and connect with our team there. Its a beautiful place with the kindest people, and I'm so happy it is now an area I will be visiting more often.
Easter at home
From there it was a quick touch down in Kiev before heading to Seattle for Easter. My first Easter at home in 10 years! It was a chance to celebrate my grandma's 85th birthday with almost all of her grandchildren present.
From there it was off to Virginia for Orphan's Promise staff training and then as a team we flew to Chicago to take part in the Christian Alliance for Orphan's Conference (CAFO). What an amazing event to be a part of. 2,700 people all passionate about Jesus, orphan care and adoption-- doesn't get much better than that!
Little Women at KCA
Touch down back in Kiev and it was time to put on the finishing touches of the play I direct every year at Kiev Christian Academy. This year we took on "Little Women" and it was a huge success! I had the added bonus of having my mom fly over to help me and be my amazing assistant for the week. She is a blessing in my life I thank God for every day.
London!
After we wrapped up the show, KCA finished off the school year with graduations celebrations and my cousin and I went to London for a long weekend! Ever since we did Pride and Prejudice together (the show we did 2 years ago) it was our dream to see England together. So off we went! Thanks to my dear friend Jenny, we had a wonderful place to stay in the city and got to have some sweet time with her as well. It was a wonderful trip. We managed to see 2 shows, 2 museums, drink lots of tea and eat lots of cake and enjoy some London sights and rain (a lot of rain!).
Adoptions
Then I landed back in Kiev to my 2 newest house guests that are in my care this week. Some friends of mine from Seattle are at the end of their adoption process of 2 kids from Donetsk region (so glad they got out!), but had to head home for their daughter's wedding before they could finish the adoption process. So thus I became caregiver to Roma and Natasha this week. We are having fun exploring the city and me trying to teach them a bit of English (trying!)-- today's adventure included a bike trip to the island on the Dnieper River.
And that my friends is why I've not blogged in so long!!
Hope to write more soon and also share a bit more about the current situation in Ukraine and our work with coordinating refugee efforts. Please keep praying for Ukraine and for peace...there is so much need right now.
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