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

Make a Smilebox slideshow

KAZAKHSTAN LOOKING FOR ENGLISH TEACHERS

The President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev has a new emphasis on learning English and Interlink has been asked by the Oblast (regional) Educational Department to help them find teachers to come for a year starting in September to teach English in the local schools. The encouraging aspect of this is that the government will pay all of the expenses to bring teachers here and give a pretty substantial salary and living allowance.

This is a great opportunity for a grand adventure... The Kazakh people are warm, friendly and hospitable beyond imagination. Young people are so eager to learn English so their possibilities of employment can expand. Learn about their culture, make new friends, and making a difference in the life of someone will be just a few of the many rewards you will find in Kazakhstan. Once you are there you will soon realize that you are receiving far more than you are giving.

Be sure to pass this information on to anyone who may be interested. Don't let your age or your fear of the unknown stop you from considering this great opportunity..

I would love to have another friend from "my home" once I move.

Love

Vicki

PROM!!! Oh how my baby has grown!

Last night was Sarah's Senior Prom....

But lets start this story 4 weeks ago.... Sarah found a dress she just loved from Orient Touch http://www.orienttouch.com/ in Sharghai China. There web site said 10 day delivery.. Well I was sceptical about ordering but Sarah LOVED the dress and since she was pay with her money I said Okay... Sarah has several formals since she has done ballroom dancing the last 4 years so she did have a back up plan... Well, this last week everyday Sarah hoped for the package from China. By Saturday she was resigned that she would be wearing her old dress... I'm proud to say she was handling it with grace...

Sarah's date was coming by to pick her up at 5:30, I wanted pictures of her so by 4:45 she was dressed in a black and white gown and looked beautiful.

.

At 5:00 pm there was a knock on the door... YES!! the postman was delivering her dress...

The postman got a hug from Sarah amidst much sequels and jumping... (I think he will be afraid to knock on our door again) then the mad dash to change out of the old into the new...

The dress fit her like it was custom made for her.. I mean it was absolutely a perfect fit. By 5:15 she was ready for me to take pictures before her date arrived...

She looked beautiful and was sooooo pleased.

Her date (a good friend) arrived and they headed off to dinner with a group of friends.

At Melito's (her brother works as a line chief here)

Good Friends, Good Times, Good Memories.......

May you enjoy the blessings and joys given just for today; May your joy bubble over to all those you meet.

Vicki

Enjoy the pics..

Happy Mother's Day

What a joy! Today I got mail from some of the children in Kazakhstan.

"Mama Viki"

We congratulate you with Women's Day! We wish you strong health, long and pretty life, happiness and welfare in your life.

We love you!

Group Number 8

This is from the youngest group of children at one of the orphanage. I miss them so much..

The next one broke my heart:

Hello Vicki! How are you doing? I'm fine, I want you to come to Kazakhstan. I am looking forward to seeing you. I have a brother and sister and my brother's name is Yura and I also have my sister name Valya. Do you have any bother or sister?

Do you love me? I love you so much. When I usually think of you I cry. I have friends and their names are Misha, Valya, Tanya and Vanya. I am sending my best regards to your family Vicki! Vicki, When are you going to come? I'll be waiting for you. Bye Vicki! Yet, when will I see you. I am waiting answer from you. Vicki I want you to be my sponsor, please Thanks bye Vicki bye again. Love you big. Sergei

Sergei is in the blue shirt with Masha a friend.
Sergei's older brother Yura and his younger sister Valya.

My heart was sad for this precious child who so desperately wants to be loved.

As my heart was breaking for Sergei and the rest of the children I realized that my desire to be a mother has been fulfilled abundantly..



God blessed me with Marc and Sarah who have enriched my life beyond words..



And then HE blessed me with the children of Kazakhstan... As I pack up my belongings, find homes for my beloved pets and close my life here in Richmond, Virginia sometimes my heart can become a little sad. Then the images of these children pass across my heart and I am overcome with a deep sense of gratitude and thankfulness.
I have been given this great privilege and honor to go and be the hands and arms to touch and hug these precious precious children.


God saw fit to bless me with the precious gift of Marc and Sarah whom I had the honor of raising here.
Now, HE is letting me love these children - half way around the world from me..


How awesome is that... I can't imagine any greater gift.


Tomorrow I will treasure the day shared with Marc and Sarah.


Next year I will treasure the time with "my" children of Kazakhstan...

Happy Mother's Day to all Mothers!!!


Happy Mother's day to My Mom..
My Mother (center front in red) with her three girls, my two sister's husbands, and all the grandchildren...

and Happy Mother's day the both my children's Birth Mothers.. Who choose life for their children... What an amazing gift... I pray that their hearts be comforted on Mother's day and God will give them a peace that surpasses all understanding...

Love, Peace and Joy to you all
Vicki

HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY SARAH ELIZABETH!

My Sweet Sweet Baby Girl is 18 TODAY!!!!

What a gift from God she is.

Sarah (and Marc) are not of my flesh and blood, but of my heart. They are a true gift from God; coming to me through Adoption. Their birth parents showed unselfish love by giving their children the gift of life. I continue to pray for them and give thanks that they chose life.

I am honored and humbled that I had the privilege to love and raise these precious children. Because of them I've desired to become a better person and my life has been full of blessings and joys beyond my wildest imagination.

Sarah was soooo small when I brought her home. I never thought she'd even be on the growth chart much less grow to be 5'7 1/2" tall. The joke in the family is I carried her till she was 10 years old.. It really isn't a joke... She really just wanted to be carried everywhere.. She was walking by 10 months and climbing out of the crib, but don't ask her to walk from the car into a store or even from the car to the play ground.. She wanted up.. Now she has enlisted in the NAVY...

Sarah is so full of life, joy, and sometimes mischief... She works hard, laughs long and often, and has a caring, giving heart. She is sweet, beautiful, kind, bubbly, full of energy, diligent, and loving...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET SARAH!!!! Curly Beth - Lady Bug -

Finding Homes for Beloved Pets!

Most of the time I'm so excited that the beginning of next year I will make the move to Kazakhstan. With Sarah heading off into the Navy, Marc enjoying his own life and knowing the Internet keeps us in contact I have a peace in my heart. The only time a real sadness can well up in my heart is when I think about not coming home to my faithful K.C.

For those of you who don't know K.C. is my beloved 6 years old Rhodesian Ridgeback.

She has been my faithful companion for the past 6 years. K.C. is gentle, still playful, loves to play with other dogs, likes to go places, likes to chase squirrels (sometimes catches them!) and loves to crawl under the covers.

I'm looking for a new home for her with a family that will love her as much as I do and make her part of their family. All dogs but especially Rhodesians need lots of attention and to be part of the family. K.C. loves to be in the middle of opening presents Christmas morning or BBQ's with friends and family.

I'm looking for a family that is willing to keep in touch with me through email and occasional visit when I'm back in the states. I'd like a family that will get to know K.C. so K.C. will feel comfortable with the move. K.C. is very attached to me, but I believe she will become attached to another family if they give her the time.

I'm asking for your help in getting the word out about my beloved K.C.. If you or someone you know may be interested in K.C. they can contact me either by email kazakhvictoria@gmail.com or my cell 804.347.3383 to find out additional information.

I also have two wonderful cats that need new families either together or separate.

Kiki age 8 yrs a gray tabby with white feet and white on his chest and Bromley age 9 yrs a calico.

KiKi (2008) Bromley (2008)

Both are very sweet loving cats. They both come when called, sit for treats and are still playful. Kiki can be some what shy with new people in the home, but warms up very quickly. Bromley loves all people including small children, but doesn't like other animals including the two she currently lives with. Bromley was attached by a neighborhood dog many years ago and almost died. Since that time she growls at any dog or cat and doesn't like to go outside unless to sit on the front or back porch with one of us. Kiki doesn't venture out much except in the warmer weather for short walks.

It is sad to part with these beloved members of our family, but I'm confident I'll find good homes for them all.

Thank you for your assistance with this search. Thank each and everyone of you for your prayers, support and encouragement as I make preparations for this move.

I am enjoying the blessings and joys given just for today at the same time I'm looking forward to this next chapter in my life. I'm honored to be on this journey with so many dear friends.

What a true gift from God each friend is.

Vicki

They received my gifts!

When the last delegation of people went over in March I sent a trunk full of goodies for the team and "my" kids. One of the thing I sent was about 20 photo collages I put together of images through the years of each child with their name love Vicki. I have been building relationships and taking pictures of these children since 2000 and have thousands of images.. no kidding...

My two children here have thousands of pictures of themselves too and love to look back remembering fun times, laughing at what they wore and seeing how much they have grown.

A couple a years ago I came up with the idea that I would love to give the children in the orphanage a collection of pictures I've taken of them through the years. They have very few if any images of themselves. In past years I have taken photos to give out, but thought it would mean a lot to them if I put together a collage for each.

This has not been an easy task to say the least. First my old IBM computer doesn't like having thousands of photos on it's hard drive. I have a separate hard drive to store the majority of images, but have to load them onto my main hard drive when I'm working on projects. My dear dear friend Lois whose husband, Richard who knows all about IBM computers and has been so kind and generous to help me through the years will all kinds of problems. He has put in more and more memory, several new mother boards, several new fans and more trying to keep my old computer going. THANK YOU RICHARD AND LOIS.... YOU GUYS ARE THE VERY BEST!!

Now I'm trying to keep it going until the funds come in for a new MacPro with Adobe and Aperture to handle all the photo work I do. Interlink Resources has used my images of the children and Kazakhstan since my very first trip and will continue will continue to use my talents in that area so the MacPro will be a valuable tool in Kazakhstan.

Until then I am limping along muttering at times to my old computer as it whirls and whines taking it's sweet time processing the last click of the keys.....

Anyway.... Sara, the head of the Youth Department for Interlink Resources sent me a couple pictures of the children studying their photo collage. She shared how much they loved them.

My heart jumped for joy seeing the images and hearing how much they loved them. It is my great joy to be privileged to have these relationships. I miss "my" sweet children of Kazakhstan... I'm looking forward to seeing them this August and really excited about moving. I'm not particularly fond of cold weather, but the trade off is more than worth the small inconveniences.

What a treasure each one of my friends are.. What a joy to make new friends from all over the world..

Thank you for stopping by a please feel free to drop me an email and let me know how you are doing. KazakhVictoria@gmail.com

Love

Victoria

One Person CAN Make A Difference

A group of people from the Richmond area arrived back last weekend from visiting Kazakhstan and children they sponsor through Interlink Resources Kid's Connection http://www.interlinkresources.org/projects/child-sponsorship.php .

I have loved hearing about their impressions, thoughts, adventures, and amazement's from their first visit to this majestic country. Seeing the joy first hand that their letters and small gifts make in a child's life. To read more of their adventures go to Interlink Resources blog http://interlinkblog.blogspot.com/ click on April 08.

It is easy to become overwhelmed with the need in Richmond, Virginia, multiply that by a country half way 'round the world or the world as a whole and the impulse is to focus on our own backyard putting the rest out of your mind.

The Star Fish Story

Original Title "The Star Thrower" by: Loren Eisley 1907-1977

I awoke early, as I often did, just before sunrise to walk by the ocean's edge and greet the new day. As I moved through the misty dawn, I focused on a faint, far away motion. I saw a youth, bending and reaching and flailing arms, dancing on the beach, no doubt in celebration of the perfect day soon to begin.

As I approached, I sadly realized that the youth was not dancing to the bay, but rather bending to sift through the debris left by the night's tide, stopping now and then to pick up a starfish and then standing, to heave it back into the sea. I asked the youth the purpose of the effort. "The tide has washed the starfish onto the beach and they cannot return to the sea by themselves," the youth replied. "When the sun rises, they will die, unless I throw them back to the sea."

As the youth explained, I surveyed the vast expanse of beach, stretching in both directions beyond my sight. Starfish littered the shore in numbers beyond calculation. The hopelessness of the youth's plan became clear to me and I countered, "But there are more starfish on this beach than you can ever save before the sun is up. Surely you cannot expect to make a difference."

The youth paused briefly to consider my words, bent to pick up a starfish and threw it as far as possible. Turning to me he simply said, "I made a difference to that one."

I left the boy and went home, deep in thought of what the boy had said. I returned to the beach and spent the rest of the day helping the boy throw starfish in to the sea.

There is something very special in each and every one of us. We have all been gifted with the ability to make a difference. And if we can become aware of that gift,we gain through the strength of our visions the power to shape the future.We must each find our starfish.And if we throw our stars wisely and well, the world will be blessed.

attributed to Loren Eisley

It matters to the one child who receives a letter and picture of someone who cares. Who took the time to write a letter to a child who desperately needs and wants to know that they matter in this world. From the story we can also see how the older man joined the youth, which doubled the effect. Two pair of hands are better than one and working together as a team the possibilities multiply infinitely. Age doesn't matter either...

I can tell you from first hand experience that these children savor every letter and picture sent to them. They will share it with the other children in their rooms and the pages will become worn from reading and re-reading through the years.

These letters and support also help the staff of Interlink build relationships with these children as they regularly go to individual orphanages. Can you begin to imagine the excitement of the children as the team is passing out letter's to them from people half way around the world? Can you imagine the sadness of the children who don't receive letters. I dream of a day each and every child receives a letter.

Part of Interlink Kids Connection program is financially supporting a child and that money goes to help the entire group that child has been placed in and makes a huge difference in their lives. You can choose to write a letter to a child without sponsoring that child financially. By going to Interlink Resources web page you can write a letter to a child (not a specific child) sharing about yourself and asking general questions. Interlink will download this letter, translate it then give it to a child who hasn't been sponsored and doesn't receive letters. You can also send letter to Interlink Resources, Inc state side office and they will deliver them to Kazakhstan with the next delegation. Pictures of your family, pets, neighborhood, stickers, pencils, small items can be sent with your letter. Most times your child will write you back and your heart will break reading their words of gratitude. You will read first hand how you can make a difference in one child's life. And to that child it is very very important.

I hope I've encouraged you to write a letter to one of these precious children.  Don't shut the door on possibilities that at first seem uncomfortable or far fetched. 

Thank you for your love, support and encouragement as I continue this journey and great adventure to move to Kazakhstan and work with the children full time. I cannot do this alone, but through the efforts of many will it be possible.

May your joy bubble over to all those you meet today.

Victoria