We're Home

PawPaw and Kathlena Grandmommie and Andrew

Grandparents and Shiflet 6 pictures taken by Greg Parker, thank you!


Oh! it is so good to be home...a hot shower and Starbucks Coffee; yes, yes, I am home indeed! We arrived an hour early at George Bush International, but by the time we made it through customs and immigration (officially making Andrew and Kathlena U.S. citizens) it all evened out. We were greeted by a crowd of friends and family at the terminal...thank you. I know that Andrew and Kathlena will always remember how excited everyone was to see and meet them. It was a huge blessing to us to see those doors open and be greeted by loved ones...I know I was overwhelmed by your love for us. I know of many more who wanted to be there too, but time and distance prevented...thank you for your emails and prayers.

When we arrived at home we found our house immaculate (thank you Marques family for loving us in this way) The house was also decorated with sweet welcome home signs from our dear friends. We loved and read every one of them. It was so fun to see Andrew run from room to room checking everything out and finding the airplane bed he has heard about for so long--which he gladly crawled into soon after we were home. Everyone was exhausted so, it wasn't hard to go to sleep.

The next morning we were all up around 7am, our usual time to awake and after breakfast the kids were ready to venture out into the yard. They did so well with Chase and Charlie...I think the dogs were more scared of them. By the afternoon Andrew had already pet Charlie and would walk around the yard, cautiously, but wasn't fearful. Kathlena still prefers to look at them through the glass like she is at the zoo but she will go out in the yard with them...she yells "nyet" to them and they seem to back off so maybe they are learning some Russian too! My parents came over and visited for the afternoon. Andrew and Kathlena both took very well to Babooshka-Nana and DeDooshka-DoDad. Again, I think to myself "it seems Andrew and Kathlena have always been with us" amazing since it has only been less than two weeks.

We plan to be at GFBC on Sunday. I really think they will love the music and seeing so many friendly faces who have waited to meet them. It will be so good to be in the house of the Lord...we have so missed GFBC!

We all seem to be adjusting well to the time change...still real tired, but we are catching up slowly. We have been so blessed by meals in our freezer, fresh bread, baked goodies and a refrigerator full of fresh fruit and veggies. Thank you dear friends for loving us so! We appreciate everything you have done for us. Truly, we are very blessed. We praise the Lord for His kindness towards us and provision through you.