Wow! I cannot believe that the last time we wrote on the blog was when David and Vitya were on their way home! Well, they arrived home Sunday evening, October 16, and we hit the ground running and life hasn't slowed down since.
Many of you may already know that 5 days after he arrived in the US, Vitya flipped over the handlebars of his bike and broke his wrist in two places. He had to have surgery and have pins put in and he stayed in the hospital for 3 days. It was quite a welcome to America for him, but he did well. He has been in a full arm cast for 2 1/2 weeks and he doesn't like it, but he's a trooper. He is doing sooo well!!! His broken arm has not slowed him down one bit. Most of the time, he is full of energy.
We are amazed at how well he has adjusted already and how well he can speak English. He talks to us constantly all the time now, mostly in broken English, and we communicate just fine. He is usually able to get his point across and he even jokes around and teases.. He is fitting in well to our life here at the Stout home. He freely goes in the kitchen and fixes his food and he loves to cook. He is adjusting to our food here. He loves fruit and can't get enough of it (he had 6 bananas his first day here). He does not like water and loves juice, but we are slowly working on that. He has found a happy medium right now making lemonade every day. He loves the Jacuzzi and wants to get in every night. He got an MP3 player for his birthday, which he plays constantly, and he also likes to play the Sony playstation that one of our friends gave him.
It was difficult at first trying to help Vitya understand the concept of family and how we care for one another and act towards one another, but he seems to really be getting a grasp on that very quickly. .At first, he was very stand offish with the girls, but now he is just like a regular brother, picking on them all the time. He is very loving to David and me, He loves to sit close to us and he even says "Love you, Mom and Love you, Dad." He is learning respectfulness to adults and saying "Please and thank you". Just like my other teens, he often pushes his limits to see how far he can get, but when I am firm with him, he always obeys, even if it is sometimes with an attitude (which is quite normal in our household these days).
Because of his time at the orphanage , Vitya loves to have things clean and is always cleaning, even other people's stuff, and telling others they need to clean up. This sometimes drives others crazy; especially, his room mate, Jake. So we probably will be addressing some boundary issues soon. We have already talked through issues about money and he seems to really have a good understanding of our values in this area. He knows now that he is just not going to be given everything he wants and if he wants special things, such as an ipod , he works for it. Also, he is learning that when we work for the family, we don't get paid, it is serving.
In the last few days, the biggest issue we have been facing is him wanting more independence. Now that he is feeling more comfortable with us, his surroundings and others, he thinks he can do and go wherever he wants. He is not a little boy - he is 15 and this is what he did at the orphanage. So please pray for wisdom for us as we have to put some parameters on his life in this area. It is particularly difficult because Jake is living with us and Jake doesn't have the same boundaries.
We are also still finding so many things that we have to teach him that we have taken for granted because we just assumed he knew, like riding a bicycle with handlebar brakes.. For example, the other day he put away the groceries, and he put all my fresh vegetables in the freezer. Ugh! It is sometimes hard to teach him these things because he thinks he knows how to do everything and wants to do it.
One way Vitya fits so well with our family is his love for music. He is taking drum lessons in the beginning band at Ben Lippen and he loves to play the piano. We started school last week and he is doing well, but he gets frustrated because he has to do things on such an elementary level because of his English. Two weeks ago we had a joint birthday party for Vitya and Bethany and it just blew him away. He kept telling me and David, "Thank you, Mom and Dad, all evening." That evening was the first time that he said I love you to me. This past weekend, we all went on a 4 day trip to Cherokee and he did AWESOME (that's his new favorite word.)! He also is excited about Christmas coming. He keeps telling me, " 6 1/2 weeks, Mom, Christmas, presents, presents, presents."
Viyta's heart seems to really be opening up to the Lord very quickly. He loves to read the Russian Bible that David got him and he is always reminding us to pray before meals at the table. When he came out surgery the other day, the first thing he said was "Thank you, Jesus!"
Tuesday, Vitya had outpatient surgery on his arm and had the pins removed. He also his long cast taken off and a short cast put on for another three weeks. He is counting down the days til that is off. . We had a preliminary visit with his HIV doctor last week, but she can't really do a full work up until his Medicaid has gone through. We applied for that last week and the case worker is trying to rush it up for us so that he will have medication when his runs out.
As for the rest of the family, it has been a mixture of feelings. Vitya is very needy of mine and David's attention (which is totally understandable), but it is sometimes hard for the girls and exhausting for us. And he always wants to be around people. We all love having him here and love him like crazy, but it definitely is different. Lots of adjustments!!!!! He is a total brother to the girls, picking at them all the time, so they are not sure if they want to send him back or not (Ha!Ha! Just kidding).
Homeschooling has been very frustrating for me. Hannah pretty much works on her own and Bethany a good bit, but Katie still needs alot of interaction, and so does Vitya, so I am finding it hard to balance my time between everyone. I also have no time to prepare, so I am often "flying by the seat of my pants ", which really doesn't work very well. The girls are really behind on their school work.
In the last few weeks, David and I have also had some health issues. We both have had some serious muscles and joint aches and pains, but they are better now. It may have been stress or diet or a combination of both. We are working on getting back some healthier eating habits, but finances are tight. And we both are exhausted much of the time. All of this is somewhat putting a strain on our marriage as well.
Speaking of finances, that is another big prayer need right now. David has injured his knee and it hurts too much for him to do construction right now, so he hasn't been able to work much at his job for the last few weeks. We were already in the red trying to catch up from the two months of David not working, so this has hurt us alot. We also just go a bill for $27,000 for Vitya's hospital bill. We have applied for medicaid and it is supposed to retroactive for October, so please pray that this would go through quickly.
Thank you again for all you love, care, support and prayers.. We couldn't do it without you.
All of us in the Stout family
PRAYER NEEDS:
David''s work situation
Our health
Vitya's continued adjustment and ours
Homeschooling
Vitya's medicaid to go through quickly
About Me
- The Stout family
- Columbia,, SC
- David, Laura Lynn, Hannah, Bethany, and Katie
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
THEY ARE ON THEIR WAY!!!
Saturday, Oct. 15
David and Vitya will be boarding the plane to come home in about 3 hours. YAY!! We are sooooo ready for them to be home and can't wait to see them!!!!!!!!!!!
David and Vitya will be boarding the plane to come home in about 3 hours. YAY!! We are sooooo ready for them to be home and can't wait to see them!!!!!!!!!!!
Vitya and David Are Coming Home
Friday, October 15
Praise the Lord! It is finished!! David has Vitya's visa and the Ukrainian adoption process is now over. They will be home on Sunday evening and then we will begin our next wild ride!!!
GOOD NEWS!!!
October 13
PTL David got Vitya's passport todayand they are on their way to Kiev. They were able to send all of their documents ahead by train to the US embassy yesterday so that the embassy can prepare all their documents today and have them ready for tomorrow. In the morning, they will go to Vitya's medical appointment and then to the US embassy for their Visa appt. Lord willing, they will have Vitya's visa by Friday afternoon and then they are free to come home. They were not able to get a flight on Saturday, so they will be flying in on Sunday night at 7:40 pm. We are all so excited and so ready!!! David said yesterday that they were riding on the bus and Vitya said, "Look, Dad!" and there was a huge rainbow stretching across the horizon and it hadn't even been raining. David felt this was a promise from God that everythings was gonna be ok.
Big Prayer Request that is left: That the US Embassy tomorrow will approve the medical provision that we have for paying for Vitya's HIV needs. We really need favor with this!!!! Pray that we will get the right official who will be willing to work with us!
Blessings and thanks again so much for your prayers!
Laura Lynn
PTL David got Vitya's passport todayand they are on their way to Kiev. They were able to send all of their documents ahead by train to the US embassy yesterday so that the embassy can prepare all their documents today and have them ready for tomorrow. In the morning, they will go to Vitya's medical appointment and then to the US embassy for their Visa appt. Lord willing, they will have Vitya's visa by Friday afternoon and then they are free to come home. They were not able to get a flight on Saturday, so they will be flying in on Sunday night at 7:40 pm. We are all so excited and so ready!!! David said yesterday that they were riding on the bus and Vitya said, "Look, Dad!" and there was a huge rainbow stretching across the horizon and it hadn't even been raining. David felt this was a promise from God that everythings was gonna be ok.
Big Prayer Request that is left: That the US Embassy tomorrow will approve the medical provision that we have for paying for Vitya's HIV needs. We really need favor with this!!!! Pray that we will get the right official who will be willing to work with us!
Blessings and thanks again so much for your prayers!
Laura Lynn
PRAISE AND MORE URGENT PRAYER
October 11
Thought we were about at the end of the Ukraine journey, but I guess not yet... David is running into some problems with the exiting process that we really need prayer for.
1) VITYA'S PASSPORT: We paid quite a bit to have Vitya's passport process expedited. It was supposed to be ready this morning. Based on this, David and Vitya had bus tickets booked to Kiev this afternoon.
They had an appt. with the US embassy for tomorrow and Thursday to finish up the exiting process, leaving Friday to take care of any extra details
They have plane tickets booked to fly home on Sunday
PROBLEM: There was a problem with the passport, so now they are saying it won't be ready before Thursday. If this happens, everything else will be delayed and David and Vitya will not make their flight on Sunday.
PRAYER NEED:
We either need a miracle that Vitya's passport will be ready tomorrow OR The US Embassy will be able to do all of their paperwork on Friday, instead of in 2 two days.
2) PAPERWORK FOR VITYA'S MEDICAL RELEASE is being held up here in Columbia. I need to be able to get that today and fax it to the US embassy.
3) WE NEED FAVOR WITH THE US EMBASSY for our insurance coverage to be considered adequate coverage by them for Vitya's HIV.
4) Vitya is restless and bored and doesn't want to do anything. He is very anxious to get the process over and come to America. David is trying to press in, but he is tired of the process, too, and feeling some discouragement.
5) We are still feeling overwhelmed here at home and ready to get them home. David and I are trying to make parenting decisions over the phone and by texting and that is very difficult.
6) Also, we need some healing in our family. Bethany has a bad sore throat and LL has a very bad case of poison ivy.
WE ALL SO WANT TO PRAISE GOD FOR HIS AMAZING FINANCIAL PROVISION. WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MEET ALL OF OUR NEEDS FOR THE ADOPTION AND QUITE A BIT OF OUR PERSONAL NEEDS. THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SACRIFICE AND YOUR MANY PRAYERS. YOU HAVE HELPED MAKE THIS POSSIBLE!!!
--
Blessings and may the Lord's Grace and Peace be with us all,
David and Laura Lynn
Thought we were about at the end of the Ukraine journey, but I guess not yet... David is running into some problems with the exiting process that we really need prayer for.
1) VITYA'S PASSPORT: We paid quite a bit to have Vitya's passport process expedited. It was supposed to be ready this morning. Based on this, David and Vitya had bus tickets booked to Kiev this afternoon.
They had an appt. with the US embassy for tomorrow and Thursday to finish up the exiting process, leaving Friday to take care of any extra details
They have plane tickets booked to fly home on Sunday
PROBLEM: There was a problem with the passport, so now they are saying it won't be ready before Thursday. If this happens, everything else will be delayed and David and Vitya will not make their flight on Sunday.
PRAYER NEED:
We either need a miracle that Vitya's passport will be ready tomorrow OR The US Embassy will be able to do all of their paperwork on Friday, instead of in 2 two days.
2) PAPERWORK FOR VITYA'S MEDICAL RELEASE is being held up here in Columbia. I need to be able to get that today and fax it to the US embassy.
3) WE NEED FAVOR WITH THE US EMBASSY for our insurance coverage to be considered adequate coverage by them for Vitya's HIV.
4) Vitya is restless and bored and doesn't want to do anything. He is very anxious to get the process over and come to America. David is trying to press in, but he is tired of the process, too, and feeling some discouragement.
5) We are still feeling overwhelmed here at home and ready to get them home. David and I are trying to make parenting decisions over the phone and by texting and that is very difficult.
6) Also, we need some healing in our family. Bethany has a bad sore throat and LL has a very bad case of poison ivy.
WE ALL SO WANT TO PRAISE GOD FOR HIS AMAZING FINANCIAL PROVISION. WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MEET ALL OF OUR NEEDS FOR THE ADOPTION AND QUITE A BIT OF OUR PERSONAL NEEDS. THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SACRIFICE AND YOUR MANY PRAYERS. YOU HAVE HELPED MAKE THIS POSSIBLE!!!
--
Blessings and may the Lord's Grace and Peace be with us all,
David and Laura Lynn
More Amazing Miracles
Oct. 4
Two miracles in one afternoon. It is almost too much to comprehend.
1). God did a total miracle with the orphanage director. David and Natalaya, our facilitator, talked to the Regional Director in Odessa and she said that they were going to have to confront her and tell the her that she would have three days to comply or the police would be brought in. Nataliya, sensed David should be the one to do this. He was "shaking in his boots" (like Moses), not wanting to do this, when God convicted his heart that he was to confront her in love. David felt very angry at her and didn't want to do this, but he asked God to change his heart. They had to wait for the director for 1 1/2 hours at the orphanage and during this time, God continued to deal with David's heart. When he was ready, God sent the director back. God told David He had been waiting on his heart to get right. David and Nataliya went into the director's office and the director immediately phoned a superior of hers. As it turned out (certainly not by accident), the superior was a friend of Nataliya's and Nataliya talked to her and explained the situation. Next, the superior talked again to the director and reassured her David and Nataliya could be trusted. Immediately, her whole attitude changed and she willingly gave them everything they needed right then. She even went as far as to apologize to Nataliya and David for her earlier bad attitude - that was really a miracle! To top it all off, David felt led to pray for the director and he did right there in her office and she even thanked him!! God is soooo amazing!!!!! He certainly gets all the glory in this situation!!!
2) We were just given a financial gift to cover the rest of our adoption expenses and David and Vitya's trip home.
God just continues to blow us away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much for your prayers!!!
Two miracles in one afternoon. It is almost too much to comprehend.
1). God did a total miracle with the orphanage director. David and Natalaya, our facilitator, talked to the Regional Director in Odessa and she said that they were going to have to confront her and tell the her that she would have three days to comply or the police would be brought in. Nataliya, sensed David should be the one to do this. He was "shaking in his boots" (like Moses), not wanting to do this, when God convicted his heart that he was to confront her in love. David felt very angry at her and didn't want to do this, but he asked God to change his heart. They had to wait for the director for 1 1/2 hours at the orphanage and during this time, God continued to deal with David's heart. When he was ready, God sent the director back. God told David He had been waiting on his heart to get right. David and Nataliya went into the director's office and the director immediately phoned a superior of hers. As it turned out (certainly not by accident), the superior was a friend of Nataliya's and Nataliya talked to her and explained the situation. Next, the superior talked again to the director and reassured her David and Nataliya could be trusted. Immediately, her whole attitude changed and she willingly gave them everything they needed right then. She even went as far as to apologize to Nataliya and David for her earlier bad attitude - that was really a miracle! To top it all off, David felt led to pray for the director and he did right there in her office and she even thanked him!! God is soooo amazing!!!!! He certainly gets all the glory in this situation!!!
2) We were just given a financial gift to cover the rest of our adoption expenses and David and Vitya's trip home.
God just continues to blow us away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much for your prayers!!!
More Urgent Prayer Requests
Oct. 4
1. David texted and said that they have the official court degree in hand and the orphanage director still will not cooperate with them. They may have to involve the police. When we prayed, God reminded us of the story of Moses confrontation with Pharaoh. God hardened Pharaoh's heart so that He would get the glory!!! We sense this is what is happening here. Please pray for His release and His glory!!
2. Michelle Maly, the missionary we asked for prayer for, has an aneurism in her kidney and most of that kidney is dead. The doctors are deciding what to do next.
Thanks you! Will send updates when we get them...
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