Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Tuesday – March 3, 2009  

Psalm 63:2-4 So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open,
      drinking in your strength and glory.
   In your generous love I am really living at last!
      My lips brim praises like fountains.
   I bless you every time I take a breath;
      My arms wave like banners of praise to you.
5-8 I eat my fill of prime rib and gravy;
      I smack my lips. It's time to shout praises!
   If I'm sleepless at midnight,
      I spend the hours in grateful reflection.
   Because you've always stood up for me,
      I'm free to run and play.
   I hold on to you for dear life,
      and you hold me steady as a post.

Psalm 62:5-6 God, the one and only—
     I'll wait as long as he says.
  Everything I hope for comes from him,
     so why not?
  He's solid rock under my feet,
     breathing room for my soul,
  An impregnable castle:
     I'm set for life.

 

God is so good.  Our days are so long here.  It’s funny how DRAINING doing “nothing” can be.  We make 2-one hour visits each day and the rest of the time has to be filled with something else.  Ugh.  :-)  But God has filled our time with His Word, “little” lessons from Him in the simple things of life, we’re enjoying each other (which we always do, but it’s nice to just be us).  God is good.  All the time.

The visits with Matthew are getting harder.  Nothing to do with him, though.  There is some kind of worry about sickness.  I THINK there might be an outbreak of the flu in the city and they are worried about us bringing it in.  Though I’m not sure.  At any rate, we’re having to have our visits in the little room where we normally would leave our shoes.  It’s okay, but there’s nothing to sit on, but the floor (which is cold because there is no heat in that room), there are no toys, people come in and out, and it “feels” like we’re unwelcome (but I don’t think that’s really the case).  Thankfully, today we went outside during both visits.  The weather was GLORIOUS today and yesterday.  The sun was shining so bright and there was NO SNOW either day…the sky was beautiful blue…I can’t thank God enough.  It has really lifted my spirits.  Mary has sat in the room that faces the North so the sun shines in there ALL DAY.  It’s warm and toasty and so bright…she’s read several books in there.  :-)

All that to say…we are doing very well.  We’re loving the Lord.  We are very happy to be here.  God has done such amazing things.  I have SO ENJOYED the Lord these last weeks.  It’s hard to believe we’ve only been here 2 1/2 weeks.  It somehow seems like so much longer.

Today was filled with all sorts of excitement!  I got up early (about 6:20) and took a long hot bath and read my Bible (and no I’ve never dropped my Bible in the tub).  Mary slept until about 7:30 or so.  We had a nice leisurely breakfast of rice with butter and sugar and we had TOAST!!!  (So, I guess our digestion is going to be messed up…according to the “old wives tale”).  I vacuumed the apartment, cleaned the kitchen, did my laundry (in the TUB!)  **now is a good time to thank God for our washing machine and dryer**.  So I have clothes, underwear, socks hanging all over the radiators!  :o)

Here’s some pics from today and yesterday…  and after that…there’s a short video from the mama and papa.

DSCF2570

Just before sunrise.  Yes…I said SUN rise.  The SUN was out!!

 

DSCF2594_face0
Gazing at mama.  He loves his mama.

 DSCF2571
He was ready to go outside.  He heads right to the gate when we go outside.  Hmmm…

 DSCF2572
You may think he’s dressed to go outside…but no.  He’s dressed for the veranda.

 DSCF2574

 DSCF2578
Outside in the sunlight.  It was wonderful!

 DSCF2579_face0

 DSCF2580
John Loux and Emma.  They have their court Friday too.  Then they’re off to America for a week and then back here.  The Malones are headed to Kiev for about 6 or 7 days to DECOMPRESS!  We have friends there to stay with.  We are going to see some of the sites with Jamie (an American friend who is a missionary).

 DSCF2581
Oleg is doing so well with his walking.  We “walk” him every time we see him.

 DSCF2585

 DSCF2589
We brought the wand back today.  He was SO EXCITED to see it.  He nearly hyper-ventilated.

 DSCF2591

 DSCF2594

 

We love you all and thank you for your prayers.

Be blessed.

And Blessed Be the Name of the Lord.

What next?

You can also bookmark this post using your favorite bookmarking service:

Related Posts by Categories



6 comments: to “ Tuesday – March 3, 2009

  • Silly Sally
    March 3, 2009 at 1:33 PM  

    bless your hearts! You could go running down the street screaming, but I'm sure you would be coming home empty handed! It would be fun though Huh?

  • Malones
    March 3, 2009 at 1:57 PM  

    Oh my gosh-you both crack me up-I am thinking Chris more than Mary -hang in there you guys. Soon this part will all be a memory and you'll be home with your other kids, your church family, and some warmth!!! Love to all four of you Malones there.
    Jennifer S.

  • Carole Ray
    March 3, 2009 at 2:26 PM  

    It seems you can see a change in Matthew's demeanor everyday. He is thriving on your love. I can only imagine the change when you get him home & he has brothers & sisters to love on him also. It is a shame you can't spend as much time with Michael but he seems to be more rambunctious & not want to sit & be held & loved on. As all kids are very different. Carole R.

  • orphans4me
    March 4, 2009 at 1:51 AM  

    Wow! I'm glad the sun was shining so you wouldn't be stuck in the veranda. It looks pretty tiny. I'm so glad you and the Loux family are getting to spend time together. I hope you enjoy your days in Kiev after court. I'm pretty partial to that place. Could you just wave at Steven for me please :) And pray that God will work in his behalf and allow us to have court.
    Joy

  • Kenneth
    March 4, 2009 at 4:49 AM  

    why tha's a FINE mud-porch / receiving room ... the Biblical text you chose states "I eat my fill of prime rib and gravy" - I'd be wary of what's in that gravy + I'd hafta wonder from what creature did them there "primo" ribs come forth? you "sound" great & look better than I expected after 19 days on the road ... we're still holdin' yer job back at the big church by the highway when/if y'all decide to come back ???
    Mizpah;
    Ken & Beth LaFever

  • Malones
    March 4, 2009 at 7:42 PM  

    Hi Chris and Mary,
    Sure look forward to reading your posts each day. So glad that we are able to follow you on this journey. Have a nice visit with your mom, Chris, and with Eli on Sunday. Eli gave me lots of smiles and hugs. Just two more days and you have your court date. Praying that all goes smoothly and that the judge will excuse the 10 day waiting period. God is in control and we are trusting Him to see ya'll through this. Hugs to those two beautiful boys! Looking forward to when the four of you are back home with your family and church family.
    love you lots! Jim and Carol