a little preview

IF adoptions were open to U.S. citizens in Ukraine and IF it weren't illegal to "preselect" the children one hoped to adopt... these are the two sweeties I would bring home with me. More stories coming this weekend, I promise!

jet lag and surprises

Hello, friends (if anyone's still reading!)

I have LOTS of stories to tell, but not enough energy to tell them. Please know they will be forthcoming shortly. 'long with some pretty fun pictures.

The travel was exhausting after a (partly overnight, but very little sleep) 14-hour train ride, barely making it onto the plane from Kiev to London, being forcibly kicked off my flight despite the fact that I was leading 11 students, fighting with the dear man at British Airways, catching up with my group 9 hours and a thousand bucks later[one of the students had dropped out of the trip due to medical reasons, and my ticket had been canceled instead of hers!] and sitting in a plane that went nowhere for 6 hours for a one hour and 10 minute flight.

But in catching up with my fam today, I learned that my brother's daughter is once again living with him until mid August, and that he is getting married on August 12. To a woman he met on myspace and has met a coupla weeks ago. However, I've talked to her on the phone (she seemed very nice!), and my family absolutely loves her. She seems like a great person, and I'm excited to meet her in person.

Family drama never ends.

Resurrection

About a month ago, my heart ached when I read the story of the five members of the Taylor University community that lost their lives in a crash. Working at a small, close-knit Christian college and having been to Taylor numerous times (my boss worked there & graduated from there), things like that so deeply affect communities like that.

And yesterday, it took my breath away when I learned about the tragic mix-up of identities.

I found the VanRyn's blogspot yesterday. It, too, is breathtaking - their faith, their hope, their sorrow... it's overpowering. If you haven't found it or heard their story yet, please visit this site http://lauravanryn.blogspot.com/ and be praying for the families and especially for Whitney, who was "resurrected" like Lazarus in the eyes of her family. What amazing hope we have in The Resurrection that will come for all of us eternally some day.

I feel so blessed to be part of such an amazing community of believers. Thanks for all of your prayers for my upcoming trip. You'll hear from me while I'm there...

blogworld

I've been mostly absent from my blog lately... too much is on my mind that I can't translate to my computer keys.

In the past week I've learned that the hotel we were supposed to stay in for the next two weeks (& we've stayed in for the past number of years) went bankrupt & closed their doors.

Our transportation company turned off their engines - also bankrupt.

Scary. Thankfully, we have the best translator team/friends in the world, who have worked out other arrangements for us. God bless them!

I'm also dealing with my own insecurities/inadaquecies as a leader and seriously wrestling with a coupla possibilities for my future when I get back from the trip.

Prayers, please?

Also, if anyone wants to be on a list to receive emails from me while I am in Ukraine, please let me know. For the most part, I know your email addresses :0) Or, feel free to read our updates at this link.

Thanks for your prayers, friends - I'll really be needing them for the next two weeks!

i should add - the site won't be quite ready 'til Friday afternoon - sorry for any confusion!