Siberia, Here We Come!

Thumbs up! We're coming!!

It's official! The tickets are purchased! There's no turning back now!

On May 22nd, Nastia, Bridget, Kim (Bridget's mom), and I leave for Russia! I had hoped to leave a week earlier than that, but we saved close to $300 per ticket by flying on this date, so the 22nd it is! We leave Boston late that night and arrive in Moscow the night of the 23rd. we will spend three nights in Moscow, as I have business at the Embassy and it will help us to have a few days to acclimate to time changes. We want to be fully rested when we get to the orphanage!

I will be bringing part of Daniel's dossier (God willing) and will also be acting as a representative for Project 143, to meet with the DOE and still try to get approval for our hosting program. We will visit Anya, too, of course. but most of our time will be spent ministering to those amazing kids at orphanage #5. I have about $1700 in donations to go towards the creation of the art room. And I'm hoping to solicit a few hundred more to install fresh water coolers in each of the five living areas. I'm not sure how much it will cost to have the water delivered weekly, but I'll find out once I'm there. I tried to explain my idea to the orphanage over the phone, but they really didn't get it..lol.

Last night I talked to the orphanage and told them we are coming. Nervous giggles and laughter were the response, and lots of 'Ladna!Ladna!' The boys asked if I could buy a few bikes for them once I am over there. And the girls asked for 'something pretty to wear.' I'm so happy that they feel free to dream of what they want now and to ask for it. It has taken forever for this change to occur. Our three months living over there really did the trick. They know I am a woman of my word!

Please write me privately if you have a special request while I'm there. For instance, some have asked for me to hand deliver letters. Others have sent special gifts for particular kids. Another made a beautiful little quilt for one of the little boys. If I get approval, I plan on interviewing the children for hosting, and will of course take as many photos as I can.

I haven't been able to sleep for the last two days, I'm so excited. One minute I think of seeing Anya and I get butterflies, another minute I think of D and feel overjoyed, another I think of handing out the gifts to the kids, or walking around the village with them..and I experience a growing euphoria! I'm telling you, if my daughter would only agree, I'd be living there by now. Nothing makes me happier in the world than being over there!

Lastly, it's been very quiet here and I miss hearing from all of you! Tell me what you're thinking about this trip! Woo hoo!!!