Friday morning we all woke up and shared our devotional time.  Chris McInnish did a great job leading us in our devotions that week.  We then hopped in the van and headed for Providence for what we thought could be our last day there.  We were excited to see the kids....and sad that this could be our last time with them....
   We began our day by giving them actual copies of some of the photographs we had taken of them throughout the week.  We even gave them copies of some of the pictures they had taken (remember they took like 200 of the sky and trees in one day).  They were all SO excited to have actual pictures of themselves in their hands....to KEEP.  You should have seen the pride and joy on their faces.  After we gave them the pictures, we began making picture frames.  Having something that belongs to you...that is uniquely yours....it can change your life...Our plan was to let them choose one picture to frame...well we had SOOO many extra frames (we got 300 frame kits for $12 from Oriental trading...crazy, huh?) we decided to let them make more...and that they did...check it out....Do you see the rest of Maxim's pile o' pics to the left?  They each ended up making AT LEAST 4 (some made MANY more)

   We did SOOO many crafts with the kids that day...I will tell you all about the rest of the day another time...for now...I just want to share some of my favorite shots that the kids took of themselves, the sky, or each other...I think you will love them too...don't worry I won't share all 500 total!

Isn't this postcard or magazine ready?  Maxim and Vadim really have an eye...and that Moldovan sky is GORGEOUS!

Maxim took this picture of his brother, Vadim, from the window on the third floor or the building...don't you love the perspective in this shot?  Wow...he's sooo talented!

I love love LOVE this one!  Maxim's self -shot...he actually had several of these that included his entire face...but for some reason I love this one the most!

Maxim and Luida walked around the orphanage photographing...he posed her in the wildflowers...how precious is this?

Maxim photographing his brother Vadim:)

No...Luida is not upset with Patrick...its just a sour straw...which she LOVED!  Maxim took this picture too...he and Vadim LOVED the camera!

I just love this one...because...well...Brian looks so cute in it:)

Valentina and Vica REALLY loved Mrs. Heather's nice camera...I believe this picture was taken right before they dropped it:)  But good camera take a licking and keep on ticking!  Valentina is a serious photographer:)

My all time favorite photo.  To me this self-portrait captures her innocence and beauty...and her personality all in one.  I think this picture could be entered in contests and win...maybe its because I met this darling child and got to know her...and her life story....and the hope that she now has...I don't know...but I love this picture.

   I am glad I blogged about this today...reminded me that back in June I decided that I would get a camera for Maxim and Vadim for Christmas!  I must go do that now...it might not make it in time...but I KNOW they will love it!

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That's right friends....I deserve punishment for the time I have spent away from you all....Its been almost TWO months since my last post.  I will do better!  I promise!  Right now...you ALL need to say a prayer for me...pray that I will have tenacity and make time to blog.   I REALLY want to share my story...I just don't do so hot with time management.  I have sooo much to tell you about life and Moldova!
      Christmas is my favorite time of the year...and I wish I could spend it with the kids in Moldova....maybe someday:)   Shout out to my mother -in - law (the GREATEST Mother in LAW ever!!!) she responded to my previous post and helped sponsor shoe boxes for Moldova!!!  You can still help out this Christmas season...its the perfect gift for someone who has everything...www.stellasvoice.org.
 OK...let me get you up to speed with things...you may need to go back and refresh yourself...I will give you the Cliff Notes of our Moldova story so far...but first let me share some other things. 
 In the last two months I have:
*  BEEN LOVING my job.  Really I have the most amazing students and parents and coworkers ever!  I am so blessed.
* Got to help PCM with their Christmas Project for Moldova.  I should have photographed our house....It was FULL of all the AMAZING donations of Christmas Gifts my friends provided.  Have I mentioned that I have the most awesome and giving friends?  We were able to sponsor 15 girls from Stella's House for Christmas...and my friends are good present buyers:)  I would like to give a little shout out to 3 special friends- Karen Vance, Savannah and Chris Bowden...They showed up and showed out...without being asked, these 3 came and helped Brian and I catalog and wrap all the gifts...it was a big job...and they brought love and laughter to it!  Also-my school nurse, Tracy Phillips wrapped 18 paper ream boxes by herself!!!!.  Who needs Santa's elves when you have friends like mine?  I mean REALLY!
*Have been praying about God's calling in our lives with some amazing friends.
*  Attended Bruce Wilkinson's "You Were Born for This" Conference...If you haven't read it...you should...life changing stuff:)
*Had a wonderful Thanksgiving Break with Brian and our chosen family (dear friends) and our extended family (who I think I would chose to by mine any way...they are pretty great)....I have sooo much to be thankful for this year!
* Felt full of love for Moldova...wanted to be there....missed the kids there....and began planning our mission trip there this summer!!!!!



OK-Cliff Notes of Moldova (Feel free to go back and read my previous posts...they are much more informative than this).  In June 2011, Brian and I went to Moldova to work with Philip Cameron Ministries.  We were blessed with the opportunity to serve at both Stella's House and Providence Orphanage.  Working with those kids was life changing and life affirming all at the same time...we know God is going to use Moldova in a big way in our life story.  The kids of Moldova are always in my dreams and in my heart.  My very last post that was on topic about our trip was about our next to last day at the orphanage.  We all began to sense that our time with the kids there would end...and none of us wanted it to...we left with heavy hearts that day.....now read the next post for more of the story:)

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