Sunday, December 25, 2005
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Sisters ~ Fall 2005
During the 2005/06 school year, our girls enjoyed being part of the Tulsa Home School Choir--this was taken for the choir's yearbook. It was a great experience for them both, as the choir director exposed them to a huge variety of music styles and performance opportunities!
Saturday, April 30, 2005
Saturday, October 30, 2004
Friday, July 30, 2004
Friday, April 30, 2004
Tuesday, February 03, 2004
Olga's testimony
(Posted Jan. 2007) With Olga's permission, I am posting her testimony here. I have chosen to post this before I share details of our early days together as a family--which were indeed challenging, and bear great testimony to God's providence, mercy and grace. This is the testimony she wrote herself, and read--with a heavy Russian accent--to the congregation of our church (Feb. 2004) before her baptism which was joyfully carried out by my DH, her dad!
Hello, my name is Olga. Most of you know that my parents adopted me from Russia in September 2002.
Life in Russia was hard. When I was 4 years old, my father died. After that, my mother started selling drugs to make money. She was put in jail for that, and I had to live with my grandmother and uncles. For 10 years my family had lied to me about my mother being in jail and that my father had been killed. They told me that they had gone to another country. My uncles started doing drugs and sometimes I had to help them give themselves drugs.
When my mother got out of jail, I went to live with her and her boyfriend. They would leave me all day, and I would fall asleep waiting for them since they usually came home around midnight. Often I would go hungry. I would cry all day until it was red under my eyes and my eyes hurt bad. When they got home, her boyfriend would sometimes hurt me and my mother. There were even times when my mother would hurt me, sometimes real bad.
I lived with my uncles again for a little while, but one day they tricked me, saying that I had to go to the hospital. After the hospital, I was taken to the orphanage on December 29, 1999.
At first I thought that this might be good, since I had uncles and aunts in the same orphanage after my grandmother died. Some of the orphanage workers were nice, but others were mean to us. They would tell us that we were trash and that our parents didn’t love us so they threw us away like trash.
Sometimes they would put us with a family. One woman that I lived with would use bad language with the kids and use us like slaves. She would often feed us soup made with only water, salt, soup bones, and would put bread in the soup. She was supposed to use the government money to take care of us, but she used it to buy nice food for herself.
Later on, I found out what happens to kids after they leave the orphanage. Kids are put out on the street around 16 or 17. Some have to beg for food and many die from starving and from the cold. Girls usually kill themselves, knowing that life will be so hard when they get out. Some of them become prostitutes and are often killed. Many kids steal for food and are put in jail and raped or hurt by the police.
In May of 2002, shortly after I turned 12, I tried to kill myself. Things weren’t going well in my life. I had no hope and was not interested in living. When I woke up in the hospital, I was so scared and I began to think that God would never forgive me for trying to commit suicide. I stayed in the hospital for 6 weeks. But then in July, 2 crazy Americans came to meet me and came back in September to adopt me!
When I was living in Russia I thought that hurting or hating people was okay. Even after I came to America, I had a cold, stony heart and I treated my Dad badly. But I also thought that if you did more good things than bad things you can go to heaven. When I was little, I tried praying for my mother and me, that God would take care of us and give us food. I prayed that God would give us a miracle, but it never happened. When I was 9 or 10, I was baptized in the Russian Orthodox Church, and I thought that could save me, but it did not change anything in my heart. After being baptized, the Russian church gives you a cross to wear and you always have to wear it because they tell you if you don’t wear the cross demons can be in you. I heard about Jesus and the cross, but I thought it was just a story.
I realize now that God used all of those things to prepare my heart to receive Him. And it made me realize that I must receive Him now because I’ve learned that there may not be a tomorrow. God has also used things in my new life in America to prepare my heart. When I first came to America I was amazed at how many people in my family and in our church loved me even though they didn’t know me. I thought it was kind of weird, but also pretty cool. Soon after coming to America, I found that I loved coming to GBC and wanted to be like the people here.
During the last three months I’ve felt so bad about my sin. I have been sorry for my sin and sometimes I would cry over my sin until I fell asleep. When I talked bad to my Dad or Mom, I would feel so sorry and this would also make me cry at night. When I shared these things with my parents, they told me that maybe God was softening and changing my heart. And He WAS changing my heart!
Two weeks ago I told my parents that I wanted to be saved. So they talked to me to be sure that I understood the gospel. Dad read me the book “Ultimate Questions” to make sure that I understood the gospel. When I first came home to America I read this book in the Russian language, but I didn’t really understand or care about it then, because my heart was still hard and cold. Later that evening when I knew that I understood the gospel, I asked God to save me!
Since that night, I have noticed that it seems easier for me to obey my parents. I also have a desire to be more patient, I enjoy listening when others talk about God, and I like to read more about God. I like to spend time with God everyday. I know that He has forgiven me for all my sins and has given me hope and joy and peace!
Hello, my name is Olga. Most of you know that my parents adopted me from Russia in September 2002.
Life in Russia was hard. When I was 4 years old, my father died. After that, my mother started selling drugs to make money. She was put in jail for that, and I had to live with my grandmother and uncles. For 10 years my family had lied to me about my mother being in jail and that my father had been killed. They told me that they had gone to another country. My uncles started doing drugs and sometimes I had to help them give themselves drugs.
When my mother got out of jail, I went to live with her and her boyfriend. They would leave me all day, and I would fall asleep waiting for them since they usually came home around midnight. Often I would go hungry. I would cry all day until it was red under my eyes and my eyes hurt bad. When they got home, her boyfriend would sometimes hurt me and my mother. There were even times when my mother would hurt me, sometimes real bad.
I lived with my uncles again for a little while, but one day they tricked me, saying that I had to go to the hospital. After the hospital, I was taken to the orphanage on December 29, 1999.
At first I thought that this might be good, since I had uncles and aunts in the same orphanage after my grandmother died. Some of the orphanage workers were nice, but others were mean to us. They would tell us that we were trash and that our parents didn’t love us so they threw us away like trash.
Sometimes they would put us with a family. One woman that I lived with would use bad language with the kids and use us like slaves. She would often feed us soup made with only water, salt, soup bones, and would put bread in the soup. She was supposed to use the government money to take care of us, but she used it to buy nice food for herself.
Later on, I found out what happens to kids after they leave the orphanage. Kids are put out on the street around 16 or 17. Some have to beg for food and many die from starving and from the cold. Girls usually kill themselves, knowing that life will be so hard when they get out. Some of them become prostitutes and are often killed. Many kids steal for food and are put in jail and raped or hurt by the police.
In May of 2002, shortly after I turned 12, I tried to kill myself. Things weren’t going well in my life. I had no hope and was not interested in living. When I woke up in the hospital, I was so scared and I began to think that God would never forgive me for trying to commit suicide. I stayed in the hospital for 6 weeks. But then in July, 2 crazy Americans came to meet me and came back in September to adopt me!
When I was living in Russia I thought that hurting or hating people was okay. Even after I came to America, I had a cold, stony heart and I treated my Dad badly. But I also thought that if you did more good things than bad things you can go to heaven. When I was little, I tried praying for my mother and me, that God would take care of us and give us food. I prayed that God would give us a miracle, but it never happened. When I was 9 or 10, I was baptized in the Russian Orthodox Church, and I thought that could save me, but it did not change anything in my heart. After being baptized, the Russian church gives you a cross to wear and you always have to wear it because they tell you if you don’t wear the cross demons can be in you. I heard about Jesus and the cross, but I thought it was just a story.
I realize now that God used all of those things to prepare my heart to receive Him. And it made me realize that I must receive Him now because I’ve learned that there may not be a tomorrow. God has also used things in my new life in America to prepare my heart. When I first came to America I was amazed at how many people in my family and in our church loved me even though they didn’t know me. I thought it was kind of weird, but also pretty cool. Soon after coming to America, I found that I loved coming to GBC and wanted to be like the people here.
During the last three months I’ve felt so bad about my sin. I have been sorry for my sin and sometimes I would cry over my sin until I fell asleep. When I talked bad to my Dad or Mom, I would feel so sorry and this would also make me cry at night. When I shared these things with my parents, they told me that maybe God was softening and changing my heart. And He WAS changing my heart!
Two weeks ago I told my parents that I wanted to be saved. So they talked to me to be sure that I understood the gospel. Dad read me the book “Ultimate Questions” to make sure that I understood the gospel. When I first came home to America I read this book in the Russian language, but I didn’t really understand or care about it then, because my heart was still hard and cold. Later that evening when I knew that I understood the gospel, I asked God to save me!
Since that night, I have noticed that it seems easier for me to obey my parents. I also have a desire to be more patient, I enjoy listening when others talk about God, and I like to read more about God. I like to spend time with God everyday. I know that He has forgiven me for all my sins and has given me hope and joy and peace!
Sunday, January 18, 2004
Born Again! (January 2004)
This picture was taken at church the Sunday after Olga made her profession of faith--she was so excited to share her news with everyone, we all were!
Thursday, December 25, 2003
Tuesday, September 30, 2003
First Family Vacation ~ Colorado 2003
Georgetown/Silver Plume ~ narrowgauge rail train ride
Nature sketching near The Loch in Rocky Mountain National Park
Wednesday, April 30, 2003
Mother & Daughter Tea ~ 2003
Our very first Mother & Daughter Tea (I've always loved wearing hats, Nina wasn't nearly as confident about her first hat wearing experience!)!!
For many years, I've collected china tea cups and saucers--simple, fancy, inexpensive, and expensive--how thrilling it was to allow Nina to choose a cup and saucer from my collection to use at the Tea!
Wednesday, December 25, 2002
Wednesday, October 30, 2002
Welcome Home Party ~ Oct. 2002
You can't see it in this picture, but we're standing next to our minivan which is FILLED to the brim with gifts for the girls from the "Welcome Home Shower" given to us by our church family. The girls were visibly shocked and amazed at the festivity in their honor, and the abundant gifts!
Monday, September 30, 2002
Pictures - Going Home
This picture was taken in the Ykaterinburg airport as we were beginning our journey home via Moscow.
After a fellow-adoptive father (his wife and new son are in the background, along with another adoptive mom and her mother) took this picture he was approached by a very official looking (in uniform) person and told that he/we could NOT take any pictures in the airport. Whoa! That sure was sobering to us all.
After a fellow-adoptive father (his wife and new son are in the background, along with another adoptive mom and her mother) took this picture he was approached by a very official looking (in uniform) person and told that he/we could NOT take any pictures in the airport. Whoa! That sure was sobering to us all.
Saturday, September 28, 2002
Pictures - Farewell Party at the Orphanage
This is at the orphanage during Olga's and Nina's "farewell party".
Olga let us know (through our translator) that she wanted to throw a party for the kids before she left. So, on that day the orphanage driver, orphanage director, translator, and our little family went shopping for balloons, fresh fruit, flavored tea, and some special cakes!
The kids had a great time and at the end of the party (and picture taking) in unison said, "spa-cee-bah! (thank you) with great enthusiasm!
(Olga is standing, fourth from the right. Nina is sitting, first on the right)
Olga let us know (through our translator) that she wanted to throw a party for the kids before she left. So, on that day the orphanage driver, orphanage director, translator, and our little family went shopping for balloons, fresh fruit, flavored tea, and some special cakes!
The kids had a great time and at the end of the party (and picture taking) in unison said, "spa-cee-bah! (thank you) with great enthusiasm!
(Olga is standing, fourth from the right. Nina is sitting, first on the right)
Wednesday, September 18, 2002
Pictures - Court Hearing
This picture was taken right after the judge (seated) approved our adoption of Olga and Nina! The proceedings went smoothly, but had some "tense" moments! Left to right: Papa, Mama, Nina, judge, Olga, prosecuting attorney, orphanage director, social worker.
Tuesday, August 27, 2002
Adoption Update - August 2002 - Court date set!
Please rejoice with us and give God ALL the glory!!! We received "the call" today and we have a court date to adopt our Olga and our Nina!
After almost two long years (Sept. 27, 2000) of much prayer, much waiting and wondering, we are going to get our children--our girls!!!!
We are to arrive in Moscow Sept. 14 and our court date in Ykaterinburg is scheduled for the 16th or 17th!! We will return Oct. 2, Lord willing!!!
Love in Christ, Connie, John, Olga and Nina!
After almost two long years (Sept. 27, 2000) of much prayer, much waiting and wondering, we are going to get our children--our girls!!!!
We are to arrive in Moscow Sept. 14 and our court date in Ykaterinburg is scheduled for the 16th or 17th!! We will return Oct. 2, Lord willing!!!
Love in Christ, Connie, John, Olga and Nina!
Thursday, August 15, 2002
Adoption Update - August 2002
Dear friends and family,
So sorry we've been so quiet since returning from our first trip in Russia! You can't imagine how incredibly busy we've been!!! MORE paperwork, house projects, work, church, and life in general goes on!!! As a matter of fact, the project that we started only three days before we received "the call" (on July 8) is still going!!!
We had emptied the room that is now fondly called "the girls room" and moved all that junk into our living room and lining the hallway! What a mess, but we are making progress painting the room,etc. We are, however very tired of living with just a path through our living room and miscellaneous boxes lined up throughout the house! It is coming together nicely, just very messy and disorganized for now!
We shipped off our second batch of paperwork today to OKC to be certified. Hopefully we'll get that back early next week so we can send it off to Russia early next week. Please bear with us over the next few weeks as we work out all the details, I'll try to email you, but if I forget, our friend Beth P. will be our official "contact" person again this time. She will post updates as we are able to contact her via phone and/or email. She'll be able to keep everyone posted as to how things are going and when we will return. She'll have all the details regarding our daily plans and return arrival. If you plan to come welcome the girls home at the airport she'll have all the details. She'll also have a list of local motels in case our return is late in the day/evening.
We continue to receive good reports about our girls and understand they are anxious for our return and to officially become family! Thanks for all your support and encouragement. We appreciate your prayers for the coming weeks and especially for the girls as they (and we!) adjust to their "new" life! Love, Connie & John
So sorry we've been so quiet since returning from our first trip in Russia! You can't imagine how incredibly busy we've been!!! MORE paperwork, house projects, work, church, and life in general goes on!!! As a matter of fact, the project that we started only three days before we received "the call" (on July 8) is still going!!!
We had emptied the room that is now fondly called "the girls room" and moved all that junk into our living room and lining the hallway! What a mess, but we are making progress painting the room,etc. We are, however very tired of living with just a path through our living room and miscellaneous boxes lined up throughout the house! It is coming together nicely, just very messy and disorganized for now!
We shipped off our second batch of paperwork today to OKC to be certified. Hopefully we'll get that back early next week so we can send it off to Russia early next week. Please bear with us over the next few weeks as we work out all the details, I'll try to email you, but if I forget, our friend Beth P. will be our official "contact" person again this time. She will post updates as we are able to contact her via phone and/or email. She'll be able to keep everyone posted as to how things are going and when we will return. She'll have all the details regarding our daily plans and return arrival. If you plan to come welcome the girls home at the airport she'll have all the details. She'll also have a list of local motels in case our return is late in the day/evening.
We continue to receive good reports about our girls and understand they are anxious for our return and to officially become family! Thanks for all your support and encouragement. We appreciate your prayers for the coming weeks and especially for the girls as they (and we!) adjust to their "new" life! Love, Connie & John
Tuesday, July 30, 2002
Getting Acquainted During Our First Trip ~ July 2002
We had only a VERY brief visit with Olga--three hours one afternoon--during our first trip in July. Fortunately, we got to spend the previous day with Nina!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
