- I actually remembered to bring my own bag to the grocery store.
- I did the bus system by myself.
- I text in Russian.
- A man on the bus thought I was the DAUGHTER of one of Vanya's friends.......Should I mention he was totally drunk?
- Any finally, I have officially taken the plunge to dress like a Ukrainian woman, which leads me to the memory I've got to share......
The boys have been asking me for days now to pick out some Ukrainian jeans. My baggy jeans and crocs just aren't cutting it here. I've put it off, simply not being able to bring myself to let these boys suggest my clothing. Well, tonight, I gave in. I let Vanya and Edik pick out an outfit for me. You know, I've always been a bit of a tomboy, so tonight, I pretty much felt like a Barbie doll. I was graciously honest about what I was NOT going to try on, but I also realized that I needed to just take the plunge. The shopping was a success and well worth the discomfort when Vanya gave me a "high-five" and said, "We'll be the 2 Russian people in Mount Joy".
Now, this was only half of our adventure tonight and you'll have to wait for a picture. Thankfully having a camera that doesn't work is giving me some time to decide whether or not I will actually go public with my Ukrainian attire.
So the other half of our story was that Vanya was trying to pick out a winter coat. We walked in and out of a couple of stores, but then he wanted to go back into the one I was hoping we were done with. First of all, it looked way out of my financial league. But, Vanya has always showed a sensitivity to not spending too much money, so I figured he knew what he was doing. Secondly, he picked out a black leather coat that had more fur than a yak going around his shoulders and down his back. He really LOVED this coat. I tried to explain to him that fur isn't quite as popular in America as is it here, but it didn't deter him. I couldn't say "no", so I agreed. He told me it was 520 grievna (about $65). Well, I handed the money to the lady, then she and Vanya had a verbal exchange. Next thing I know, he's handing the coat back to her. "Thank you, Lord." On our way out, Vanya said it wasn't 520 grievna, but 5200 grievna ($650). (lol) Needless to say, the 3 of us just about died laughing at ourselves and I was very thankful to have avoided all the fur.
On a more serious note, I was happy to meet a 16 year old girl today that I actually connected with. I haven't met too many girls, but the ones I have met are pretty cold and just look me over, making me very nervous. Anyway, her name is Zhenya. She is from the orphanage here and is a believer. She likes to sing and dance at her church. We spent the better part of today together. She LOVED helping me in the kitchen (Ahh.....my comfort zone) and I also taught her Chinese checkers. I gave her a small gift and her reply was, "It's been such a long time since I've received a gift. Thank you." It melted me. She is so precious.
As a matter of prayer.....
Pray for Vanya's heart and mind as he processes all that is about to occur. The permanency of his decision is upon him and he seems to be counting the cost of forsaking what he has known all of his life. Some days he is rather withdrawn and it is so hard not to share the same language when there is such a need to discuss deeper things. A MAJOR loss he is facing right now is losing the approval of his grandmother and sisters. This is a very difficult situation, because his extended family is not in favor of the adoption and yet he understandably wants to go and say goodbye. There isn't a close relationship here, but he told me that is afraid they will disown him altogether. If Vanya chooses to, he will go visit them next week, but it will be VERY hard on him.
Thanks for the prayers.
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