Lola, Sam & James

I had the great privilege of doing portraits of three beautiful children.

I've been given this gift to paint, but for years didn't use it much. I use to be very critical of this gift and judge it against other "great" artist and not use it as much for I judged it "not good enough". We are each given gifts and if we don't use those gifts we may loose them. Also how sad it is for the one who gives us the gift to see it sit upon a shelf and not be used.

Several years ago I realized it was not always about the product produced but enjoying the process and letting the gift flow. I love seeing the joy that even my talent can bring people. Doing a mural or a painting can bring joy to me and others if I stop the comparison and critical judgement of myself.

Lola, Sam & James' Mother saw the portraits I did of my nieces for Christmas and asked if I would do one of each of their children. I delivered them yesterday and loved seeing the children's reaction as much as I did seeing the pleasure in their mother's face. Thank you Lola, Sam & James for the honor of painting you. May you enjoy these paintings for many years.

A visit with the Davis family and more!

The days are flying by and yet my list of things I need to do isn't getting any shorter. I am trying to keep my focus on the day and enjoying all the blessings given just for that day and not letting anxiety and worry creep in about what I need to get done before May. I've enjoyed visiting and spending time with so many people. I've had visited again with the Sweet family and enjoyed catching up with them and their 5 children who are growing like spring flowers. I had dinner with Pam and Emma, lunch with Cynthia, lunch with Bobbie, dinner with my son Marcus and his girl friend Danielle and last week also visited with Carrie DeLille and our friend Kathryn who has adopted two children from Kazakhstan. When she brought her son home 4 1/2 years ago she came back pregnant and delivered a son. The two boys are best buds and are so cute to watch. Again Kathryn has been blessed with another child after brining their daughter home from Kazakhstan and she is having a girl. It was my first time seeing their sweet daughter and my heart burst to see this precious child thriving in a loving home. It is not an easy journey to travel round the world to bring a child home. I am so thankful for people who are willing to trust and do the hard thing to bring a child home. Every child needs a family. There are thousand of children in foster care here that need families and many more around the world who do too. It isn't always easy to open your heart and home to an older child, but the gift that you give this child is life changing. Wouldn't it be wonderful if every child had a family to call their own.


Me reading to 3 of the 4 kids running around this morning at Carrie's... They just crawled into my lap and asked me to read even though none of these kids knew me. I guess the "white" hair makes them assume I will read to them. What ever it is my heart burst with joy having these precious children crawl into my lap while I read stories.


Brothers and a sister who came together across oceans and miles yet are bound by a mom and a dad...


Me and Michelle 1994 as I was preparing to move to Florida. We thought that was so far.


Me and Michelle 2009 as I prepare to move to Kazakhstan. Oh, how we have "grown"...

Thursday Marc and I went to the Davis family home for an evening of great fellowship. We played games, talked, ate a great meal, and caught up with what is happening in our lives. Michelle and I first meet years ago in Bedford, Virginia when our girls were just babies. Marc, Sarah and Brianna tell people they are cousins since they grew up playing together even when we lived out of state. It is amazing to see how the "rug rats" have grown. What a great treasure to have friends who have been in our lives for so long.


Marc, Michelle, Brianna, Scott and Hunter under a painting of Hunter I did for the family a few years ago. Scott is an hunter. When before Hunter was born he joked that he was going to name the baby "deer slayer". Brianna was worried that he may do that so came up with the idea of naming the baby "Hunter" and that is how Hunter got his name. Hunter got his first deer this year and was so proud. I'm proud and honored to know this sweet family.


Eating dinner


playing games


I'm holding Hunter 1998


Marc and Hunter 1998


Marc and Hunter 2009


Marc and Brianna 2009


Marc, a girl, Brianna, Sarah, boy around 1992


Back row; Michelle, Me, and my sister Emilie Front row; Brianna, Marc holding Kathrine, Adelle, Sarah


Marc, Brianna, and Sarah about 1992


Marc, Brianna and Sarah

So many fond memories. I will definitely miss seeing my friends once I move to Kazakhstan, but look forward to the new friends that I will make. The time is moving quickly till I board the plane May 6th. I'm still very excited, but am more aware of what I am leaving behind. I am thankful for the Internet which will help me keep in touch with dear friends. I know I'll sometimes miss some particular item or convenience but those things are not what makes life, the people in our lives are what gives the true joy to us. Relationships as hard as they can be sometimes, are what bring joy into our lives. If they were easy they wouldn't be the priceless gift they are. As I prepare to leave I'm trying to make sure I spend time with the people in my life who have added so much. Each relationship adds a thread to the tapestry of my life and I am thankful for each and everyone, even the ones that have brought pain and heartache. Those hard relationships have helped refine off some of those many rough spots in my life and helped me see how sweet other relationships are.

I only need about $300 more in monthly support. Hurray.. It has been absolutely amazing to me the people that have joined me to touch the lives of the children in Kazakhstan. I have been humbled and moved by people who have shared their hearts desire to be part of this even though they can't physically go. I've loved connecting with friends old and new and building those relationships too. Thank you each and everyone who has joined me in moral and financial support. Once I am there I hope you will write me emails that I can share with the children to show them that it isn't just me who cares for them, but all my friends back home.

May you each have sweet times with the people in your lives that touch your hearts. Be sure to take the time to voice your feelings to those you love around you.
Thank you dear friends
Love
Vicki

A weekend connecting with friends old and new!

Last Monday there was snow covering the ground yet this past weekend the temperature was up in the 70's. That's spring time in Virginia. Saturday I had the great joy of having lunch with four women who keep me on track in life. I know they are each a great gift from above to me. Chip came through town on the way back home from North Carolina giving us a great excuse to get together. Chip was one of my teachers last fall while I was in training. We both went to Girl Scout Camps and were camp counselors and just hit it off from the very beginning. She has traveled extensively around the world teaching and training and generously sharing her wisdom. I count her as one of my closes friends now and am ever so thankful our paths crossed. Lois is a dear friend who has been there during the trials and tribulations of life as well as celebrating the many joys. She has been there to be a sounding board when I need one. As a single mom it was such a gift to have someone to share all the thoughts, ideas, struggles that went though my mind raising my two kids. As much as I loved them they could push me to the edge making me question my own sanity. Lois and her husband Richard reached out to this single mom and walked along side me even when it wasn't easy or comfortable. They have been friends like I could never have imagined possible without them I wouldn't be here now. Thank you Lois. Edith was assigned to me as my mentor when I started the application process to join with Interlink Resources. What a gift she has been. We are about as opposite as two people can be in so many ways, yet that is exactly what I needed. Edith has so much knowledge and experience, has lived overseas, and has a heart as big as the sky. Over the last year and a half I have come to treasure her and am so thankful our paths cross bringing her into my life. Edith has made this whole process of preparing to move to Kazakhstan possible. She helps keep me straight in so many areas. Thank you Edith. Susan is a whiz with numbers. She has power of attorney over my finances and I'm thankful for her gift for figures. Susan and her husband Bill have also opened their lovely home and giving me a place to stay. It has been such a joy to be in their home and they have gone out of their way to make me feel at home and part of their family. Susan, Lois and I have known each other for a long time and have children similar ages. I am so thankful to have Susan as part of my team to help keep me straight. Susan has been a good friend over the years and for that I am thankful. Thank you Susan. I'm not sure if it says something good or not about me, but it takes these 4 women to keep me straight and moving in the right direction. I actually am very fortunate because I do have people who care for me and have walked with me through life. What a gift each friend is. I really do know is that I am blessed beyond measure to have these four women in my life that I know are there for me, will ask the hard questions, share in the heartache, and celebrate with me the many joys that come my way.
Thank you ladies for your friendships and a time to fellowship with much joy and laughter. You each are such a gift to me.






Since Chip was just traveling through Richmond I wanted to show her around some. I took her to Maymont Park and since it was the first warm day in the city everyone else had the same idea. The park was swarming with people, but we still had an enjoyable time walking and enjoying the warm weather. Signs of spring were everywhere. I love spring..









On Sunday Chip and I went to TIm and Lisa's home for lunch. I had such a good time I forgot to take pictures. I couldn't believe it. I did have my camera but didn't take one picture. Tim and Lisa had invited 3 other couples over and I got to share about my upcoming trip to Kazakhstan and my love for the Kazakh children. It was a great time of fellowship. Thank you Tim and Lisa.. lunch was fabulous, your children are a delight and the fellowship was sweet. One of the surprising gifts I've received along this part of my journey is the new friends I have made. I first meet Tim at the DeLille's house last June and it is fun to see how that has lead me in other directions I would have never imagined. Tim put together a beautiful video of pictures he pulled off my blog and put to music. My heart was so touched tears couldn't be contained as I watched it. Thank you Tim and Lisa for opening your hearts and home.

Chip left Monday morning for home and I am back into the routine of the week, but the sweet memories of this weekend remind me of how blessed I am even during this time of transition. I am figuring out exactly what I will take with me in May and getting my bags packed. I'm still working on talking to people and finding those who want to partner with me financially as I raise the last bit of monthly support I need. (about $500 more a month.. yeah getting close) and say my good-byes to family and friends. I'll be in PA for a couple weeks in April so I need to have everything wrapped up in March. I'm still working some jobs to pay my bills and will finish those up also in March. It looks like March is going to be a very busy month, but I will treasure each moment and count my blessings for I have much to be thankful for.

Thank you each for joining me along this journey. This chapter of my life is wrapping up and a new one will begin come May, but I want to enjoy each day left here for it isn't the destination but the journey that is important. To finish well I need to keep focused on today.

Love
Vicki

A beautiful Snow Day!

From the table on the back deck snow here in Chesterfield County measured 7 1/2 inches.

Yesterday afternoon it started snowing here in the Richmond area prompting schools to start canceling classes last night for Monday. This morning we all awoke to the beautiful blanket of white on everything. Many in the Richmond area are without electricity and my thoughts go out to them and I pray they all are able to keep warm. Here at Bill and Susan's the electricity is on and everyone is home enjoying a reprieve form the normal routine of life.







Bill fixed a snow day breakfast consisting of biscuits, scrambled eggs, bacon & sausage. Yummy!!! Charlie and Joey had Ryan a friend spend the night so we were all able to enjoy a great breakfast together. Roxy the dog seemed to enjoy the change of routine as much as the rest of us are.




Charlie, Ryan and Joey filling their plates.


Roxy

The boys ventured out after breakfast to do some sledding down the driveway before heading off to bigger hills in the neighborhood. Youth- when do we loose that excitement over the simples pleasures in life. My desire is to be 99 and still wanting to venture out in the snow..





I decided to do a little more then venture out into the snow and took a couple turns down the hill. Now, I wasn't very fast, but it was sure fun. My snow boots are in my shed out in Mechanicsville about 45 minutes away... So needless to say I didn't go get them this morning. My new hiking boots worked really well except the snow was deeper than the tops of the boots. My jeans kept most of the snow outside the boot thankfully. Once the snow soaked through my jeans and long johns I decided I had enough fun for the morning out in the snow and headed back in to the warmth of the house and a hot cup of tea.





When I went to go outside Roxy followed me, but quickly turned around. I thought I had closed the door into the basement garage, but obviously hadn't closed it tight enough for when I went to go back inside here is where I found Roxy. I guess when your little legs are only about 8 inches high, but your belly hangs down a couple inches - running around in snow isn't the most fun. She was very grateful for my arrival to open the basement door into the warm house.



What a gift to slow down a little bit and enjoy the beauty of the landscape covered in white. I so often forget to slow down and "smell the roses" "enjoy the beauty all around", today I get this opportunity and am going to try and savor the moment.

It does make me reminisce about days when my two were young and their excitement of a snow day would penetrate my heart bringing a joy I sometimes forgot. Days like today make me even more aware of how important it is to enjoy present day and not let the desire of some future event capture our total attention. How many days I was worried about past event or future events and gave away sweet blessings and joys that were there just for that very day. I do look forward to the day I land in Kazakhstan and all that next chapter holds for my life, but I want to savor each and every day I have now. I am not promised tomorrow and yesterday is gone. Today I have to enjoy and savor. I desire to look for those joys and blessings given to me just for today. Some days they are harder to find because the of the storm that is raging around. Today there are no major storms, weather has made it so I can't go anywhere, so I choose to enjoy this pause in time and look for the joys all around.

May you my dear friends focus on the joys of today. Thank you each for your encouragement, support and friendship on this journey.
Love
Vicki