A Prayer Request

I am at work so I need to keep this brief. I got a call from Denis just a while ago.
He wanted to let me know that he is being taken to the hospital tomorrow and will
be there for 7 days. He is being taken because of his eyes. Not sure what is going on.
I am just pleased that he was able to call to let me know. His teacher said that
he could take his phone. Hopefully he will be able to.

Thanks for the prayer.

Love,

Cathy

Just another Monday

Very busy at work. Lots happening and a lot of decisions to be made. In the
meantime, Wes is still home :) . I am so thankful to the Lord that we still
have time together at home. It has been a very special time for us. It's like
all that 16-18 year old attitude has evaporated. What a special gift.

I spoke to Denis on Friday and he received his box. He really liked the contents.
I sent him a movie Spiderman 3. He let me know that he has not seen Spiderman
2. Oh my, I'll have to find it!!!! It is so hard having him SO far away.

If you are interested in reading another blog, there is a family that I have
been following for the past year. They can use your prayer. Their blog is www.anothercurrykid.blogspot.com.

I am still working out visiting Denis in October and trying to get his visa for
Christmas. The Christmas visa is our preference. Thanks for praying.

Cathy

Powerless

This has been a roller coaster of a week. Highs and lows. Silence and many words.


My son Wes turns 19 tomorrow. He is at a Christian Concert tonight. We will continue


our household tradition in the morning....you get birthday cake in bed, first thing.


Along with presents and me singing Happy Birthday. He has changed and grown so much over


the summer. I thank God for him. I love being a mom. I always tell people that it is the


best part on my life! And it is.





Half way across the world is a precious 11 year old boy who wants to come here and be my son.


I want the same. We still have a very long road ahead of us. In the mean time, I continue to


hope, pray, call, write and see him when I can. I have an opportunity to go at the end of


October. I am praying about this.





It has been a particularly stressful week for Denis adjusting to life in the orphanage. He


has moved up to what would be middle school here. For the first time he is having to go


from classroom to classroom. He said he has a hard time finding the right room to go to.


He also says that classes are harder. He has a cold. Lost his reading glasses here. And is


really tired. On top of everything, they shaved his head when he got back. It upset him so much.


He wants shirts like the older boys wear. When I asked what that was, he said, like the


one I bought him for church, a long sleeve button down. Really cute. He loves to dress up.





I spent a good part of the day putting a package together to send out to Ukraine.


I found his glasses, bought a few shirts, some pens and pencils, cashews, gum, a video for his


new PSP, the game Sorry and other misc. goodies. I took the package to the UPS store and they


said it would cost almost $700.00 to ship. You could buy a plane ticket and get it over


there for about that price. So I went to the post office and they shipped it for less than


$70.00. Shew.





I cannot wait for him to get the package.





Having a mothers heart for him, it is very hard to love him from afar. I want to make him


some chicken soup, let him rest, grow his hair and love on him. But I can't right now.


The Lord is truly refining me and teaching me to trust him more.


It is all in His hands. I am so thankful for my Denis. Please continue to pray for him.





Love,





Cathy

Denis took this picture at the Aquarium the last day we were together here !

I finally heard!!

My heart was so heavy all weekend...missing Denis and not hearing from him.
He called today and was I ever relieved. He was SO cute. He talked in English a lot. :)
I told him to keep practicing. One phrase his teacher worked on with him was " may
I please have________?" Well, he filled in the blank today and it really made me laugh,
he said, "may I please have Cathy in Ukraine?!". He is so clever. His sense of humor is
so keen.

I have started working on Christmas visa. Please pray that the Lord would open
the doors!

Love,

Cathy

Trying to settle in!

Well, it has been about 2 days since I have talked to my boy. It seems really strange
not having him here calling my name every few seconds. Bits and pieces of him are all
over our home. A lego, a few pieces of laundry, Spiderman pen, origami flowers he made
for me....the fruit he picked out at the store......and the list goes on. One obvious piece missing is Denis!!!!! I am starting to thaw out a bit. The reality of him sitting in an orphanage half
way across the world is starting to sink in. I am trying ( with the help of the Lord and
my friends) not to get discouraged. I want him here. But God....in His power and might,
has allowed the circumstances as they are. So, I must continue to trust and lean on Him.
I am so thankful for what the Lord has allowed. Almost a whole month to minister and
spend time with Denis. A year ago, I would have never dreamed it possible. So, putting
all things in perspective, I am thankful. Please continue to pray for Denis as he adjusts to
life as an orphan....again. I would also ask that you pray that we can get his visa worked out
to get him here for Christmas. By His Grace Alone, Cathy

Back Home..empty handed!

Here are a few images from today in Atlanta.

All went well. I am numb. I love this boy. Please

continue to pray for us. More later. Love, Cathy

He is in the air right now!!!!