CAROWINDS!!!!

What a day!!!! A very HOT and fun day was had by all! The day started with my friend Miriam and her daughter, Brooke meeting at our house. They brought Viktorija some nice gifts. I know Viktorija is excited to try out her new "Magic Fabric" toy. And, she looked like a true American kid with all those silly banz on her wrist. A BIG Thank you for your thoughtfulness and generosity, Miriam and Brooke!

Although Viktorija was quite shy initially, she warmed up after she started riding the rollercoasters. Our friend Sara Graham and her two sons, Fletcher and Archer, also met us at the park. They were also wonderful with Viktorija. Sara, you are raising two well mannered and polite young men. All of the kids got along well (after Viktorija got adjusted) and had a great day! Viktorija has never been to an amusement park before, but you would never have known it! She wanted to ride all of the scariest rides at thte park. I think the "Intimidator" was a favorite. Viktorija, Brooke, and Fletcher rode it 4 times! I love coasters, but even I had my fill after two times on that ride! And, it only took Miriam a couple of hours to recover after riding it:-) Even though Mike's ribs are still hurting from our lake excursion, he did manage to ride the rocking pirate ship twice and the Intimidator twice. After that though, he was done. But, what a trooper! He said he wouldn't have missed seeing Viktorija having that much fun.

We were talking about how blessed we are to have such great Christian friends. I enjoyed our time with each person there today, as did Mike.

Please continue to pray for Viktorija. She has some adjustment / people issues that need some work. We are told this is very common among orphaned children. The frustrating thing for me is not knowing how to help her when she starts to "shut down". All we can do is give her love and try to make her feel secure. She needs to know that God's love is everlasting...no matter where, or what situation she encounters in her life. A love like this would be totally foreign to her. What must it be like to go through this life, with all it's trials and tribulations, and not know there was a loving Father who will ALWAYS be by our sides?? We have that security, and it is what I want most for our sweet Viktorija.