KC goes home with her "new" Family!

Yesterday, KC and I went to the dog park for the last time as KC being my dog.  We made plans for her new family to picked her up from her favorite place.  

She hasn't been very happy this week with our house being turned upside down as we sort, give and pack all our belongings..  She has known something is up just not how big of a change was coming into her life.  She probably was very happy to get to her new home last night and find it just as she last left it.  

I have been sad for the last couple days thinking about not having my beloved KC around.  She is spoiled rotten and sleeps in my bed, She is very attentive to what I am doing and how I am feeling, I have my routine set up around her walks, and I just like being greeted by her happiness when I come home.  KC is very attached to me and ignores most other people.  It isn't that she isn't friendly it's just that the breed doesn't feel the need to love all people just their owners. 

It has been an answer to prayers that I have found a wonderful family who was patient to let KC get to know them and love her for who she is.  Just like people dogs have different personalities, strengths and weakness.  I am so thankful to find the perfect family who also likes me enough to let me visit and keep me updated on how KC is doing.  She has bonded with her new family.  They were great in being willing to start with us visiting their home on numerous occasions then KC going for hour long visits finally to overnights and weekend visits.  Thank you Peter, Amy, Sarah and Chris for your patience and love for KC and your kindness to me.  I know you guys and KC will settle into a wonderful routine and KC will love you and bring you as much joy as she has brought us.  

When KC saw Amy and Sarah walk onto the field she recognized them and went running to them very happy to see them.  It did my heart good to see her happy for I have worried how she will handle being away from me... I know I'm being a little over the top, but I've had the dog for 6 years....  

This week has been one of the hardest weeks..   I'm a basket case of emotions running the spectrum from sadness to joy.  I still trusting in HIS good will for me and my life.  In the mist of the storms of life I will hold onto HIS promises.  

Thank you for being their to encourage us as we end one chapter and begin a new.

My love to all my friends who are precious gifts from God...

Vicki

P.S.  Thank you to all my wonderful human and dog friends at Bandy Field..  The most amazing and interesting group of people bring their beloved four legged friends to Bandy Field.  I've grown quite fond of the two and four legged friends there.  Thank you each for your love and support.  I'm going to have to come by the park to get my doggy fix and see all KC's friends..

TRUST AND OBEDIENCE!

(Sarah and Edith sorting through Sarah's room!) what a mess!!! Way to much stuff!!



Dear Friends and Family:

This week has been a test of strength, endurance, trust and obedience...  Our lives are turned upside down and I'm feeling the effects.  

I'm trusting in HIS good will for my life and trying to be obedient in the big and small things in life..  but... Oh, I am struggling...

Yesterday morning I called my mentor and dear friend crying and overwhelmed.  The money for the August trip didn't all come in; It no longer looked like Sarah and I had a definite place to move to on Sunday; and my beloved dog, KC is going to her "new" family Friday 27 June  TODAY... I love this silly dog and find great comfort in having her near.  

 I know I am suppose to move to Kazakhstan (I still know it beyond a shadow of a doubt) BUT this business of giving/selling almost all my worldly possessions, giving up my dog, and trusting everything is going to work out is HARD!!!!  Doing the "right" thing.. the thing I know I am suppose to do does not always FEEL GOOD.... UGH!!!!  

Things were so bad yesterday morning while I was talking with my mentor I was also walking around the house trying to pack.  With our house being upside down "my" routine has been turned upside down.  I am such a creature of habit... As I am talking with Edith I was looking for my cell phone "AS I TALKED" mind you..  I finally blurted out "I can't even find my cell phone this morning!"  After a long pause, Edith starts laughing.. Well, I can tell you I didn't think that was very helpful... She then asked me what I was doing?  I explained trying to find my cell phone..  Then it dawned on me;  I WAS TALKING ON MY CELL PHONE TO EDITH!!!  Oh, my gosh... I've lost it... One day I will laugh about it.  

Being obedient in the face of adversity and when what "I" want is different then what my counsel is advising is one of my most difficult challenges.  I'm use to making my own decisions and doing what I want.  I'm a single mother who has struggled and faced my giants all to many times alone.  I wouldn't accept help  or guidance out of fear.  I wouldn't trust God or anyone else..  How sad.. All the joys and blessings I gave away through the years.

Having to face the facts that the monies didn't come in for the August trip.  Lots of you did send your support and I thank you so much, but I was still a little over a $1000.00 short.  Edith and I had prayed that the funds would be provided by the 23rd of June and I kept thinking the rest would come in the next day.  Yesterday, I had to defer to Edith and her great wisdom and trust in God's perfect will for my life.  I honestly couldn't make the decision not to go on the August trip.  I love those children so much and my heart aches to see them, hold them in my arms and see their sweet faces.  I told her I would trust her wisdom and guidance.  I did ask her to make the calls for me for I didn't think I was up to it.  Thankfully she did..  My heart is still sad and the tears are still flowing, but I was able to get a lot accomplish yesterday and sleep some last night.  I keep thinking come Feb 2009 I will get to see these children all the time.  Next summer I'll be there the entire summer not just to weeks..  

My heart is in conflict and turmoil as I give my beloved dog away, give most of my worldly possessions away, give up the security of a permanent place to live in contrast my heart is excited to finally be closer to working full time with the precious children of Kazakhstan.  Looking forward to this great adventure that I have the privilege of being part of.  Oh what a mess I am..  :o)

Thank you each and everyone for your friendship and encouraging words.  Keep us in your thoughts today and the rest of this weekend as this chapter of our lives close.  

Desperately holding on to the promises...

Vicki

The 20th was Marc's actual 20th Birthday

Friday 20 June was Marc's actual 20th Birthday.  I was out of town on a job and couldn't get Internet to work...  On Saturday a dear friend came over to help Sarah and I sort into "keep" (put into storage) "give away" and "trash" piles..  Oh, we have way to much "stuff".. 

I actually had every piece of paper my kids had ever brought home from school..  Ugh...  I have my first drivers licenses, and every card or letter anyone had ever sent me...  I have 6 sleeping bags, 8 flashlights, 12 coolers, and just way to much stuff!!!  There have always been bunches of kids over so I needed to be prepared for "just in case"...  We'll all that "just in case" can't fit in a 10x14 storage shed... Sarah and I had to make really hard decisions on what items were really important to us.   

Am I ever so thankful for dear dear friends who will come and help with the "yucky" jobs in life.  

Tonight (Tuesday 24 June) Edith and Joanne are both coming to help go through more "stuff"..  We have to be packed up, cleaned up and out of here by 30 June..  Oh My!!! 

Please remember us this next week with our "home" being turned upside down, still working, and strength to physically do all the work..

I am thankful to God each and every day for my dear friends who are there to celebrate with us, to cry with us in times of heartache, and to roll up their sleeves and lend a hand during times like this...

Fondest regards to all my dear friends - old and new!!

Vicki

Happy 20th Birthday Marc

Happy Birthday "BUDDY" !!!

Marc is 20 years old!!!! Time has flown by so fast that it just seems like yesterday I was holding my sweet baby boy in my arms. He still has a smile that can melt your heart.

God has truly blessed me with two wonderful children. They are gifts from God that I am thankful for everyday.

Marc in Kazakhstan 2002

Marc is funny and sweet, is gifted with words and music, he is smart and sensitive and I count it an honor and privilege to be his Mom. I am thankful each day that his birth mother chose life. She made a difficult decision which brought joy unimaginable into my life.

I look forward to seeing what adventures Marc has as he grows and matures realizing his many strengths and talents.  My prayer is for him to reach out in love and kindness to all those he meets especially the less fortunate and to enjoy the many blessings and joys given just for today.   

Happy Birthday Marc!!! Always know how proud I am to be your mother and how proud I am of who you are...

Next Step

On August 1, 2008 I will travel with a team of 6 to a camp outside Taraz, Kazakhstan where the children of Ulan are spending the summer months.  I will be assisting in leading the team as part of my preparations for working full time with Interlink.  The children of Ulan desperately need people to reach out to them letting them know that they are valued.  These are the children I feel in love with that very first year in 2000.  They can be hard to control when doing an activity sometimes, have behavioral problems and the conditions we stay in a as a team are poor even for Kazakh standards.  BUT...  these children need to know love and that they are valuable people...

To be part of this team, I need $2300 (the cost of the plane ticket and visa) by June 23rd and the remaining $1200 by July 20th.  I am seeking people willing to partner with me in outreach to these precious children.   You don't need to leave the comfort of you own living room to do this.  I'll be sleeping in a tent, using a hole in the ground for my bathroom, having ice cold showers in a outside building, and eating porridge for breakfast, broth for lunch and dinner, but believe me I love being there....  and you can share in this experience too.... 

When you make a donation towards this trip be sure to write a note that this gift is for the Ulan trip in August.    Other funds will go to my work once I move in Feb 2009 to work and live in Kazakhstan with Interlink Resources.  

Between now and June 30 I will finish sorting, selling/giving and storing all of my belongings.  Thankfully dear friends have donated a corner of their backyard and with their help I have constructed a shed for the things I will save for the future.  Another dear friend has generously offered a place for Sarah and me to live in at a very reduced rent until She heads off for the Navy and I head off to training for 10 weeks in North Carolina...  God has blessed me with great friends...

Please remember Sarah and I as we pack and store our belongings.  Remember the need for the money for the Ulan Trip in August.  My hearts desire is to go and be a blessing to these precious children, but I can only do this with your help....

Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts as we prepare for the next chapters in our lives..

Vicki

Pugh Family Reunion 7 June 2008 Phenix, Virginia

Yesterday my Mother and I drove to Phenix, Virginia. If you are wondering where Phenix, Virginia is don't feel alone. Most people don't know that there even is a Phenix, Virginia. If you take Rt 360 south and hang a right at Keysville onto Rt 40 west you'll pass through Charlotte Court House then don't blink or you will miss Phenix, Virginia. If you still don't know where I'm talking about you might have heard of Farmville, Virginia and Phenix is south of that. Beautiful country side and friendly people.
My great grandmother was Martha Neva Pugh upon marriage she added Martin to her name. This is a branch of the family that I don't really know, but it was great to meet so many nice people, have some good food, and learn some interesting family history. The Pugh family is from Wales, owned land and farmed it for many generations, have quite a few interesting people in the "clan", are warm, kind, fun loving bunch of people.
I don't often give though to where I "come" from and it was good to take a few hours and honor the accomplishments of my ancestors.
Here are a couple pictures and more are on the link to family albums to the right.
It was good to spend the day with my mother, see my Uncle Pete, who I hadn't see in awhile and connect with other family members who I previously didn't know and some I did.
I am thankful to God for the history He has given me.

The next couple weeks I will be working on packing, sorting, selling and giving away all my belongings, because my lease is up at the end of this month. Ugh... lots of work... for some reason I get very attached to some of my "things"... I'm so excited about my moving to Kazakhstan, but sometimes it is a pull when I face what I need to leave behind..

Please keep me in your prayers as I work full time, pack, sort and move... It is funny that I can be so sure and excited and on the same hand have these little struggles over the silliest of things.

The shed I ordered to store the few things I'm going to keep was delivered to my dear friends Richard and Lois on Friday. The have generously agreed to let me put the shed on the back of their property.. Oh, my GOSH!!!!! the instructions are long.... I'm thinking maybe I should of just built the thing out of 2x4's... Remember me as I put this thing together... which obviously has to be done before I can put anything in it....

OK, so lets break this down... work 60 hours a week... pack, sort, etc, build a shed and move everything before 30 June....

Now, you know how to pray for me these next three weeks...
Thank you for checking in my dear friends... without I would be lost..
Vicki

The Big DAY!!!

Sarah with her father Kit and myself! Isn't she absolutely beautiful!









I'm not sure how everyone got so much taller than me!?!?! I use to have "little" kids... :o)



Grandma Neva, Sarah and I



Sarah right before we left from home.



The Big Day arrived hot and muggy..... Thank-goodness Sarah already has curly hair... She looked beautiful and was so excited.

Sarah's Dad and Step-mother, my Mother and Marcus all joined me to watch Sarah receive her diploma and take pictures afterwards. Sarah's Dad and Step-Mother took Sarah and Marcus out for dinner afterwards to celebrate. A special time for Sarah. She was delighted to celebrate with them.

I still am amazed by how fast the years have flown..

Have a beautiful day enjoying the many blessings given just for today.

Vicki

Sarah's Graduation Party!

WOW!!! Sarah graduates this Thursday from High School.. I still can't believe my baby is graduating. This Sunday we had a traditional Charbonneau Family Pot Luck BBQ celebration cookout. I did my famous BBQ chicken, had sodas, cake and everyone brought their favorite dish to share. We had lots of wonderful food and no one left hungry. In the morning the sky was over cast and it looked like it might rain, but at noon the clouds blew away leaving beautiful blue skies.

Marc and his friend Blair kept music going throughout and entertained us after dinner.

In the backyard a blowup water slide was set up and out front was a bean bag toss game.

Some of our friends could only stay for a few minutes and others couldn't make it at all due to conflicts with other commitments, but sent their blessings.

We were able to celebrate with so many of our dear friends who without their support, encouraging, and prayers we would not have made it. God had blessed me with two beautiful children and with dear dear friends.

Many chapters in our lives are closing which brings some tears.

I remember so clearly their first day of school and now both my babies have finished High School.

I think parents should get some kind of gold star when their children graduate. I know I worked harder getting them through school then I worked when I was in school. :o)

We all enjoyed ourselves. Sarah had so much fun celebrating her accomplishments. After everyone had left and everything was cleaned up, Sarah and I sat on the sofa and read through the journal I had asked everyone to write in. Sarah was so touched by the warm wishes, funny stories, and blessings written by people who have been so important in her life. Thank you everyone.

Then she opened each card and read the sweet encouragement. We reminisced and talked about the special ways each person has impacted our lives. A few tears of joy where shed with a mixture of sentiment, a little sorrow to know that things will be changing, and great excitement because things will be changing and new chapters are beginning for all of us... How exciting and terrifying at the same time..

There were many times over the years I couldn't imagine the day they would graduate. It seemed so far away.. Now it is here...  God has so richly blessed me with these two children, with dear sweet friends and family, and now with the privilege and opportunity to move to Kazakhstan and pour love into many more children...

Thank you dear friends and family...

Vicki

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