Hosting Lena

In 2006, we met Masha

In 2007, while we were adopting Masha, we met Lena.

A little backstory….

During the time when be were adopting Masha, the crazy idea that we might actually want TWO kids crossed our minds.  We realized that God had better plans for us than we did, and we also realized that immigration officials weren’t likely to be all “Oh, well GOD told you to take home an extra kid.  Sure, let’s just rubber-stamp your paperwork and you’ll be on your way.”  Anyone who’s adopted or knows anyone who’s adopted knows it’s not that simple at all.  Visas into the US are tricky and involve a lot of paperwork and pre-approvals.

So when we applied for approval to adopt Masha, we actually filed the application for three.  Just to give God a little wiggle-room.

On the day we arrived at the orphanage, we met Lena.  Masha’s best friend.  Sweet.  Shy with us, but a ham for the camera.

We asked if it would be possible to adopt her as well.  At the time, the answer was no.

Love isn’t limited by paperwork

We continued to spend time with her and love on her as much as we could during our stay in Ukraine.  When we left, we gave Lena and Masha matching gifts…a little stuffed “animal” shaped like a heart.  When she squeezed it, it said “I love you!”

Over the next year, Masha continued to call back to Ukraine every few weeks and check in with Lena.  The following spring, we learned that another two-week hosting program was being organized, and we asked if Lena could be added to the group.  Even though she couldn’t be adopted, we still felt like the “exchange student” experience would be good for her and would give all of a chance to see her again and spend some time with her.

She arrived in San Francisco in mid-August, 2008.

I met her there and we returned to Indiana for an amazing visit.

We went to the local amusement park.

We hung out at home.

We went to the zoo.

When goats attack……..

We went camping….

We wore her out!!!

We took lots of pictures

We visited with our great friends at Bentz Photography, who took some amazing portraits of the girls.

We met up with old friends

All of these girls were adopted through the same program as Masha, so it was a great opportunity for Lena to catch up with old friends!!

And then we said a teary goodbye…..

Our tears were mixed with joy….

As we helped Lena pack her things for her return to Ukraine, she called the assistant director of her orphanage to check in (everyone else had stayed in the San Francisco area…). We thought it would just be a routine call where we confirmed our flight schedule with her and made plans to meet up at the airport, but Nataliya had better news.

Over the past year, the staff at the orphanage and the social workers in her town had continued to file documentation, and the final word came in…Lena was finally going to be eligible for adoption!

We brought Lena to the US with no expectations other than to love her and share the experience of a lifetime.  We sponsored the cost of her trip not because we thought we’d get something from it, but because she could.

But God’s timing truly is perfect, and He rewarded our faithfulness.

As soon as Lena’s plane left the gate, I contacted our social worker to update our home study, and we were at it again!

Stay Tuned

Next week, I’ll recap our Arctic Advanture – Travelling to Ukraine to adopt Lena in the winter of 2009.

Who are the craziest house guests you’ve hosted?  Leave a comment……