The Next Step

We had a great Christmas this year except for one thing. Olena was missing. We hung a stocking for her and made an ornament with her name on it and hung it on the tree. We have presents under the tree, wrapped and ready to give her. We even got to speak with her a few days before Christmas, but it wasn't the same as having her here with us.

our lights at the top of the tree quit working. But I still like it :)
 

It's okay though. We know that very soon she will be here and NEXT CHRISTMAS she will celebrate with us.

WE BOUGHT OUR TICKETS FOR UKRAINE!

 

 

It is now official. We leave on January 13th to go to Ukraine. We are so excited about the next phase of our journey and especially can't wait to be able to see Olena.

I am also very nervous about the trip and leaving the rest of my children for so long. Luckily my brothers are here visiting from Australia (so excited about that)

 and are willing to help take care of them. I am not sure how it will all go, they (my kids and my brothers) are all very headstrong and I know there will be some butting of heads. But I am trying to have faith that everything will be ok.

We are still looking for help to reach our fundraising goal. We are trying at the moment to come up with the money for in country expenses. We will need money for a translator and driver, gas and train trips for our journey from Kyiv to Izmail, food, lodging, Orphan visa, medical exam for Olena, Clothes for Olena, she isn't allowed to take things from the orphanage with her. And other things need while in country.

These things total approx. $5000

(we have only been given a rough estimate of prices for food and other incidentals)

If you can PLEASE share our story again with anyone you know, it would help us greatly. We need your help to raise what wee need. If you can donate, please do. If you know someone that can donate, PLEASE ask them too. We would love to be able to raise as much as we can before we leave, in

14 days!!!! 

Please help us reach our goal. We would love to be able to eat while we are over there.

Thank you again for all those that donated to the children of the orphanage. They will really appreciate you generosity.

A BIG THANK YOU to My Sisters Closet for their donation of clothing for the orphans. They are going to love them :)
If you have never been to My Sisters Closet, please go and support this wonderful business. They have the cutest clothes around for fabulous prices!!!