Round 3

So.
A lot going on.

:-)

First, let me introduce you to our host children for this summer... Daniels and Diana from Latvia. Though I visited their "region" while on the New Horizons interview trip, I did not visit their orphanage. Daniels is 11 and wants to learn to ride a bike. Diana is 13 and wants to learn how to cook.  I'm pretty sure we can take care of both while they're here. :-)

We hadn't thought to host this summer. My volunteer position with New Horizons has kept me VERY busy. A lot of phone calls, a lot of emails, a lot of time. Don't get me wrong- I'm LOVING it!  I talk to potential host families- explaining the program and talking about the kids and their situations, answering questions, giving advice and sharing about our own hosting experiences. I have found that my going on the interview trip has given me invaluable insight- and I can now answer questions and give explanations with firsthand knowledge. I can only imagine that the more often I go back (hint, hint, Rick :-) ) the greater understanding I'll have.
We've never really been *seriously* adoption minded (hereinafter referred to as The "A" word.) Well, that's not entirely true. Rick has never really been *seriously* "A" minded.
And that's ok. I'm told that it often takes men a little longer to come around to the idea. Women, being the emotional creatures that we are, are usually the 1st ones on board. But Rick made some comments the other night that made me think he might be a little more open to the idea that what he'd been previously.
That being said-- don't you all go emailing him and asking when we're starting our home study or anything. He's not driving the "A" train quite yet. He's just stepping up a little closer to the ticket booth to look at the schedule.

While on the interview trip, I met several kids who really stuck with me. Ones who impressed me with either their sense of humor... or their attitude... or their enthusiasm. Rita... Igor... Nastya... Kolya... Marian... Nazar... Albert... Sasha... Luba... Valentyn.  I met and interacted with well over 100 kids, but these were different. These were special. I'm so pleased becasue as of now, all but one have been chosen by a family for this summer's hosting.  Geographically, none of them will be anywhere near me-- which is fine as we'll be busy with our own host kids.

The one that is left-- the one who hasn't been chosen--- Valentyn. I can't say enough wonderful things about this boy. Polite, self assured, well spoken, confident, eager to try out his English, well liked by his peers. He wants to go into show biz when he grows up-- and he has the personality to do it!  He currently has a $650 scholarship to put toward his hosting fees.
Luckily, we have another week before the UKR deadline. Another week for the Lord to find Valentyn a host family. *I* certainly can't do it... but I'll be thrilled to talk to anyone who would like more info!

The deadline for LAT is today. There are A LOT of kids left. A LOT of kids who need a family to choose them. Some of the waiting have been hosted before, some are new to our program. Either way, they're waiting... and so deserving of this opportunity.
I'm sick to my stomach at the thought of how many are left. How many there are who will be left behind.

Mareks, who we hosted over winter, was originally on the New Horizons photo listing. We weren't planning on rehosting him-- I was afraid he'd be COMPLETELY bored here over the summer.  If it weren't for my terribly entertaining trips to the ER and my "meet and greet" with the parking lot in Texas, complete with ambulance and fire truck (see previous blog posts), he probably would have been bored over Christmas.
So I prayed for a host family for him... one with kids nearer his own age... a family who has a church with a large, active youth group... a family that wasn't quite as rural as we are... a family who would love him as much as we do.
And my prayers were answered in a mighty way!
A *perfect* family stepped forward to host Mareks! They even had a son who liked the same music- dubstep. (Which is probably more popular than I think, I'm just too old and out of it to keep up with that kind of stuff.)
OH-I was SO EXCITED!!! Mareks and I facebook, and I was having a REALLY hard time not telling him!

Then I received an email from our in country facilitator saying she had spoken to Mareks and he'd decided to not participate in the hosting program this go 'round. He'd been presented with an opportunity to take some photography classes over the summer and he wanted to take advantage of that.

I'm thrilled about the classes! He's really into photography, and maybe this will lead to a future job opportunity. But I'm disappointed he won't be returning to The U.S.... and also sad for his new host family who had already gotten kind of attached to him. Thankfully, the family still felt led to host and they chose another young man who I think will thrive in their family.

I still have quite a bit to do in preparation for our own host kids. Appointments to be made, letters to write, things to be purchased, outings to plan, etc.
I remember how nervous I was-- terrified, really-- when getting ready to host Vladik.
That was just a year ago.
Now I have 2 hostings under my belt, as well as a trip to Ukraine and Latvia, plus helping to coordinate the host families here in the midwest.
I'm hoping to take part in the new host parent training in Cleveland this June, where I'll finally get to meet several of the families I've spoken with and emailed.

Joe and Kyle want to take Daniels and Diana to Texas to visit Grandmother and Papa and to meet the cousins on the other side of the family.
Yeah, I don't think that's going to happen. Maybe we can go to the zoo instead?