Monday, December 31, 2018

Thankful , New Years Eve!

В преддверии Нового года хочу всем написать огромное спасибо! Мы получили множество конвертов и посылок. Мы благодарны что вы решили поучаствовать в судьбе двух мальчишек и также спасибо что решили благословить нашу семью материальными благами! :) Вы не представляете что это значит для нас и нашей семьи! Божьих вам благословений!


On the eve of the New Year, I want to thank everyone! We received a lot of envelopes and packages. We are grateful that you decided to participate in the fate of two boys and also thank you for deciding to bless our family with material things! :)You have no idea what this means for us and our family! God's blessings to you!



Here is only some pictures... There is more personal gift that kids will open on the 1st. (we open presents on New Years).




















Friday, December 21, 2018

" Две лепты"


Много лет назад, в жизни Иисуса и его учеников был такой случай.
Иисус учил однажды в храме, и потом сел напротив сокровищницы храма и смотрел, как народ кладёт деньги в неё. Многие богачи клали много. Среди них была одна бедная вдова, и она положила в сокровищницу всего две лепты.
Подозвав к Себе Своих учеников, Иисус сказал им: «Истинно говорю вам, что эта бедная вдова положила больше всех, клавших в сокровищницу, ибо все клали от избытка своего, а она от скудости своей положила все, что имела, все пропитание свое».
Много лет назад, эта женщина пожертвовала на дело Божие от всего сердца и из любви к Нему. Она отдала всё что у нее было!


фото с интернета


Знаете, у нас произошёл подобный случай! Я до сих пор не могу без слёз про это думать и говорить. 
С мужем связалась старшая женщина, и попросила заехать, так как она хотела пожертвовать на усыновление мальчишек.

Когда муж туда зашёл, то он увидел картину: Бедно обставлена квартира, старшая женщина в морщинках, на заднем плане взрослый мужчина, её сын (особенный ребёнок). Со слов поняли, что она живет с сестрой, и её (особенным сыном).

Было трудно принимать деньги…видно, что для этой семьи это были большие деньги, но Бог потревожил её сердце поучаствовать в том что угодно Ему! Видно, что они сами в нужде, но она со слезами в её глазах, участвовала! Отдала многое, может быть даже последнее! Муж ей: "вам самим нужна помощь?!", она ему "Бог побудил!И это детям у которых ничего нет!"

Вот такие ситуации меняют всё, меняют нас, наших детей! Мы благодарны Богу за такие вот жизненные уроки, и за то что Он нас поучает! 

Давайте будем добрее, будем замечать тех кто рядом! Может у вас рядом есть старенькая женщина, или вы знаете что кто то в нужде! Помогите! Поучаствуйте!

Не обязательно отдавать последнее, просто благословите! 

Помогите от чистого сердца! 

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Here we go again! Scared...Excited... and Ready!

As you guys already know, me and Danilka (D J), had an awesome opportunity to visit Ukraine August 2018.

While in Vinnitsa we stayed at at Christian Center, they work and help kids who already left orphanages, and also they take younger kids for winter, spring and summer breaks.

While we were there, I met this boy! My heart dropped, I just knew deep in my heart that I have to do something , I had to find him a family. He is 16 not adoptable by himself, but he has an younger brother who is 14. Because of the younger brother a family can still bring them home, they can be internationally adopted.

We came home, shared their info on Social Media, in our church, with our relatives, and friends, nothing! A family needs to act fast! Both boys have about 1 year to be adopted. Most adoption take a year from start to finish!

We prayed, talked and decided that we will try to bring these boys home!

So here we go again! Paperwork chase!

This is what we post on Facebook:

"God has called us to become a “Forever Family” for two needing boys! We were not ready for this….really, not expecting it but we are trusting God, and we know that He doesn't make mistakes!
We are reaching out today to invite you to be a part of this journey and to provide two orphans a home and a future!
They deserve to have a chance and a family!
We are stepping out in faith- Trusting God with everything! Unfortunately international adoptions are difficult, time consuming and expensive! We trust God to give us strength, wisdom and we know that He will provide the support we need! We ask that you open your hearts to join our journey and support us.
Here is how you can help:
1. Pray! We need prayers! This journey is long and has many obstacles. Please pray for our family, boys, and paperwork!
2. We will start a fundraiser in the next few days! Everyone who is willing and would like donate financially and support in bringing two boys home will have a chance to participate!
3. Share! Share on your page with your friends and family!
We are grateful for you,
Mironyuk Family

We made this video ... English version

Russian Version

Monday, December 3, 2018

Finding Bio parents...trip to Ukraine Part 4


At the Center we were greeted by Katya and few kids who were staying there at that time!
This Center works with children who "graduated" from orphanages, so they take these kids, and helped them with enrolling ot colleges, finding jobs, and prepare them for adult life.
Also, during holidays, and breaks, they take kids who have no where to go. It was summer break, and we got a chance to meet more kids :) Some of them were available for adoption too :) (hint)
I will try to share more about this Center later. Or if anyone have questions, please contact me!

08/11/2018

First morning in Vinnitsa and the Center...
August 11th we woke up early, it was Sunday. Katya and all the kids left to church, and we decided to just not do nothing, and try to recover from our travel.

Wanted ti rest one day, and then go to Horodkivka to find DJ's dad the next day! The night before, when we just got to the Center, Katya told us that she will help us, but she was busy on the 11th, and she told us to wait till next day, but we decided to give it a try and find everything by ourselves.

We came downstairs(we are staying in the two story center), and our room is upstairs.
There was a lady, never saw her before. I just said good morning, and started talking, while waiting for Danilka. I told the lady that somehow we need to get to Auto station. She told us which tramvay to take (#4).
We walked to the street that she pointed out, and the second we got to the little station, there was tramvay #4
Tranvay was ok, we had to stand the whole time, but it was not a problem, the problem for me was that it was way to hot…So hot and the smell...all the sweat! It was nothing what we are use to :)

I had no idea how long, how many stops to go. I remember, I even thought of walking in the morning, (but its’ more than 1 hour), I saw that Auto Station is after we would pass the river.
I was looking for that river, once I saw it we got of, and I asked one of the ladies that was passing by, how to get to Bus/Auto station, she poined out and we were on our way, walking to the station. 

Got to the station, was about 10 minutes walking.
Got to one of the windows, and did purchase bus tickets to the Horodkivske. We paid 240 grivnyas for both of us.  It was less than $10. The drive was suppose be only 2 hours and 30 minutes, it took whole 4 hours to get there. It was interesting. No air condition, at least we all were sited. At some of the stops more people got on, and some people got of. I told Danilka how great it is that there was no drunk people on the bus…spoke to soon 😊
At one point the drunk guy got on, it was something. We are so not use to this. He was bugging most of the people, talking to them, mocking them, yelling bad words, telling everyone that he will kill us and etc.

We were so happy and relief that he got of in about 30 minutes.

On the way there, just listening to different people, I found out that Horodkivka is a big village. The bus can make 3 stops, and I knew that I will need to know which one is better to take. Started talking to one of the ladies, and she was supper sweet, trying to help us.

She told me that she doesn’t know that street that we were looking for  and started to call different people from this village. Nothing…
Later she told me that that was her stop (1st stop),  and told me that I should get out on the second, it would be in the middle, and we just had to ask around.
When the bus was about to leave, the lady came back and told us to get out on that 1st stop😊
We got out, and saw a little mini wan , she told us to get in.
The driver was her good friend, and driver knew most people in the village. We told him the last name, he said that he doesn’t know that person. DJ's reminded me that he has a photo of his dad. When we showed a photo of his dad, the driver recognized him. He made few more calls, and knew exactly where DJ’s dad was, he was working on one of the projects with other workers.

He took us directly there… and it was a moment!DJ waited for so , so long…

 Someone called his dad from behind one of the buildings!
He came up to us, looked at me, with a big question in his eyes? Who are you? What do you want?
I couldn’t say a word, just pointed to DJ.He looked at DJ, then someone said, do you know this boy?

Then DJs dad came closer, and looked at DJ again… the said Is this you Danil? DJ nodded, and dad hugged him tight. Kissed him in the neck, and got a little emotional. DJ was speechless, and showed no emotions! 
  

On the bus :) 

Dad is looking through his photos to show us DJ's baby pictures

Dad gave us some honey(in the little bucket). It was the best honey we ever had :) 


House where DJ spent his childhood, His grandma use to live here. 




Walking back to the Center




To be continue...

Finding Bio parents...trip to Ukraine Part 3

There is so much to share... I am not sure if people will even like to read all the detailes. In one way all the things we did for two first weeks in Ukraine, are really boring... but on the other hand, we did so much!

Finding Bio Parents...Trip to Ukraine Part 1    Finding Bio Parents...trip to Ukraine Part 2


Two days before this land...I had no idea where we would sleep, stay or who will great us at the airport! Which way should we head, and once we are in Kiev, what should be our next step!

I knew the language, so I thought...we will figure out once we are in Kiev....once we land I will get on the internet, and will find a hotel, exchange some money, and the buy a SIM card for a phone...
I thought, that in a day or  two we will figure out how we can get to Vinnitsa...

The last we heard, DJ's father was seen in Vinnitskaya oblast, so we knew that we had to get to Vinnitsa, and then find a driver, or get a bus to take us to that little village (3 hours away from

I know, maybe I am not the most responsible parent...but we made it this far with all of our kids, so I will say that I am kind of responsible...sometimes :) I felt safe doing it this way...

But...God had a plan!

One day before our trip, our oldest daughter insisted that I contact one of the ladies in Ukraine, her name is Helen. This lady lives in Kiev, and she works with kids, and orphanages. She is the one who helped our daughter find a family few years ago. Then this is the same lady that we talked, and we found our oldest thought her too! Anyway, our daughter told me" I already told Helen that you will be in Ukraine" and " Helen, told me that you need to contact her, and she will help you with anything you need" This was a blessing!

On one hand, I didn't want to bother anyone, and didn't want to ask for help, but it was a relief that we would have at least some kind of a plan... So I did contact Helen, about 24 hours before our trip!
She told me that she will help!
At the time she was not even in Ukraine, she was in America (business trip).

In about 30 minutes after I contacted her...I been told that two people will meet us at the airport, and will help us with anything we need, also she asked me what do we want to do next? Go to Vinnitsa the same day, or next day! She told us that they will find a place for us to stay if we need to stay in Kiev (no charge), or will help us to get to Vinnitsa...

I like to get everything done as soon as possible, so I told her that if there is a possibility, we would like to go to Vinnitsa the same day (Vinnitsa is about 3 hours from Kiev)

.............

August 10, 2018
We were scheduled to be in Kiev at 4:45, came at 5:15, not too bad, do to being late at Frankfurt! 

People from Mission Emanuel , two ladies and a driver came to the airport! Olenka, Marina and Pasha (the driver)
We were greeted by totally strangers with love and warmth! They took us to eat, to the train station, gave us a phone to use in Ukraine, and a new SIMs card. Took us to exchange some $, and also the train ticket was already purchased by them!

In about 3 hours after we landed , by 8:30 pm, we were on our way to Vinnitsa!!! God took care of everything! Used His people, and blessed us in every step during our journey!



We were greeted by Pastor Oleg in Vinitsya, and he took us to the Center, where we stayed. This center is a part of Mission Emanuel.

All the people who we met, we never saw them before but they treated us like someone they knew, and like someone who is related to them!

When we tried to thank them, gave them some $, we been told: "Helen told us to greet you! Take care of you! and Help you with anything you need! " "We need nothing in return"! "Thank God"!

So thankful for Helen, for her connections :) and all the people who are willing to serve anyone, even strangers like us!



***We been so tired...didn't take many pictures!


Landing in Kiev

In the train, it was actually a nice (more expensive), kind of like Business Class train! 

DJ got himself a burger at the McDonals.  (Kiev). I was not hungry...


The trained had outlets, and we are trying to figure out how it works. :)


At the Center... DJ's bed

My bed..

To be continue....

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Finding Bio parents...trip to Ukraine Part 2

On the August 8th, we came to the airport, got on the plane, left our gate...and there was a mechanical problem!

We got back to the gate, and were advised to wait in the line to see if they can change our flight for later.

Fast forward...8 hours later, we are driving home, and have a flight scheduled for next morning, August 9th :)

Kids were super happy to have me back the same day :)

Anyway, we finally were able to fly out of Sacramento on August 9th.
Our flight was, Sacramento-San Francisco, San Francisco - Frankfurt, Frankfurt- Kiev!

We had longer layovers in San Francisco and Frankfurt, and I slept through most of them :)
Danilka was himself, didn't show any signs of nervousness, barely slept, and only got more tired on the last plane...

Around 5 pm (Kiev Time), we landed in Kiev...




The food was good... no complains :) I was too sleepy, ate just tiny bits, and the rest was eaten by my son :) 






Landing in Kiev! 

To be continue...

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Finding Bio parents...trip to Ukraine Part 1

Sometime in May 2018, our oldest son Danilka decided to go back to Ukraine to see his Bio dad.
We fully supported his dream! Don't get us wrong, it was not easy...we are people and we have our own insecurities!  We had many what ifs? We didn't show any of it to our son, and told him that we will support him in anything we can! We knew that financially we would not be able to support his dream, with only on person working and feeding 13 of us, it was just not possible. Danilka told us that he will provide, and cover all the expenses for this trip! It was very mature and thoughtful of him!

The plan was to go sometime in August, so we would be back before school starts.
We knew that if he would get any fast food place job, it would not be enough money by the time we travel. Danilk
He decided to try out a farm. A year ago, him and one of the sisters tried, but they were still 15, and not strong enough and it didn't really work. This time he was sure that physically he will be able to do it.

First week of June he started working on the farm! It was  hard work! Every day me or my husband (mostly him) would take him at 5:50 am, and I would pick him up at 2 pm or 4 pm.  He worked 6 days a week, most weeks, until August 7th.

Danilka asked me to go with him...

The tickets were purchased, most things were done, and we were getting closer to our trip. We had tickets for August 8th, Sacramento to Washington DC, Washington DC to Frankfurt, Frankfurt to Kiev.

Danilka was so tired... He was falling asleep everywhere... As a mom, I felt so bad... I knew that it was a good life lesson, and experience for him, but still I wished to not see him struggle, and being so exhausted!









To be continue...