I'm listening

So often, we are caught up in our day-to-day lives, we forget to "listen" to God...and for God. My morning started in a flurry, getting three kids up, ready, fed, bunnies fed... out the door, then off to the grocery, to buy cookies for Karis' school picnic. Yes, we were at church last night, so no time for baking, ourselves... Kroger does a fine job. So with cookies in hand, Karis was dropped off, then Evan, in time to make his bus which was taking his class on a field trip to the Newport Aquarium. Then, Karrigan and I marched down the hall to pick up Zhana B., who is actually the focus of this blog post. Quick note about Evan, I was thrilled that his dad offered to go along on his field trip, since Kevin works downtown, Cincinnati, and it was just a walk across the bridge, to meet up. Another quick note... it has been an absolute crazy day, as all three kids had school activities going on today... I haven't even mentioned yet, Karrigan's kindergarten pizza party rewarding her and the others for all of their fantastic efforts reading, through the Book-It program. Ok, Zhana B. Let me just tell you about her and why she is spending time with us today. Zhana was adopted from Stavropol, Russia and brought home early this year by a local family who we are now friends with. How ironic that our family would adopt from Russia and so would another family in our very small school community. Well, not ironic... just... God. As I sit here at the computer, I reflect, glancing at the 8-year-old girl next to me watching Peppa Pig. I just had a revelation... this little girl, once an orphan, wouldn't be sitting here, in my living room, if weren't for something completely awesome God did, using me as one of His instruments. I can't remember the exact month, but it was right before I made the third and final trip to Russia, to bring Karis home. Anyhow, my heart so desperate to get our own daughter out of the orphanage, prayed for God to continue using me in an orphan ministry of some sort. So, when our adoption agency e-mailed me photos of some children, in an orphanage, in need of families, I decided that even if my friends thought I was crazy, I was going to pass the photos along to them. I compiled one email with many of my friends, church family, other adoptive families, etc., and with the click of a button, God was at work! There's just no other explanation, because somehow, I emailed a gal who I barely even knew... she happened to be in my email address book due to prior PTF communications, but I didn't really know her and certainly didn't put her on my email list! I didn't... but God DID! Soon, after the email was sent, I got a response from "Angel B." She wrote that she didn't think she knew me, but God might be working through me, because she and her husband had recently been talking about adoption. Wow... that's all I can still say, is... "Wow." Sweet Zhana is now home, adjusting with her new family (and vise versa), and I can't help but be excited that our family is a small part of her life. Her story is hard, definitely not easy to hear about or read about, but God WILL use that story, just as Karis'... to further His kingdom. http://bringingzhanahome.wordpress.com/ I'm thrilled Zhana is hanging out with us today, as her mom is on the 3rd grade field trip, spending one-on-one time with Zhana's brother. Karrigan certainly enjoyed playing together with Zhana before school and the pizza party. I took both girls to the local mall to pick up a gift for Karis' 13th birthday, which is Saturday. The photos attached are of the girls, at the mall. So, yes God, you have my attention now, as you are showing me this sweet child in my living room. Yes, God, I need to continue advocating for orphans, because you use your people to connect with others about your plans. How grateful I am that you would use someone like me, to do this work. I am ready for more, and I'm listening for you God... for the next assignment.

Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love, serve one another.

(Double click on the photos, to enlarge.)

Happy Easter!

What a difference a year can make!

These photos were taken on Easter, 2011, in Russia, and Easter, 2012, at home, in the greatest country in the world! I must be clear and state that Kevin and I thoroughly enjoyed the Easter holiday, in Russia. It was the highlight of our 7 weeks spent there, last year. With our heads appropriately covered with silk scarves (all females), the priest of the Zhukovka Russian Orthodox Church, blessed our decorated eggs and Easter "cake" which was really more like bread. :)

This year, Karis enjoyed the American tradition of the Easter Bunny leaving a basket on the back porch, followed by getting dressed up in our Sunday best, for church at Urbancrest Baptist Church. Our sweet boy, Evan, was staying with his grandparents, so we met up with him, after church, and the children went on a long Easter Egg hunt, around their grandparents' farm. What a beautiful day it was! It was so special in many ways... Karis' first Easter in America, our family being together in our home country, visiting our little niece/cousin Vivie, and most importantly, celebrating... HE IS RISEN!!!

(Double click on the photos, to enlarge)

Volunteering for Kids Against Hunger

Adoption, for our family, was certainly a step in faith and... a call from God. He tested us to see if we would simply say, "Yes" - and when we did, He blessed the journey and has been faithful ever since.

Now that we're all adjusted, it seems we can continue to help orphans, which I believe is the ministry God has forever laid on our hearts. Something we enjoy doing, as a family, is volunteering for Kids Against Hunger (KAH). Recently, we participated in KAH's Million Meal Marathon, in which all of the food packed, was flown to Africa to feed starving children, including orphans. It is an honor to participate in this effort, and I know it pleases God which is the ultimate goal.

James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Some people have faith, and some people put their faith into action which is what we try to do and what we teach our children to do. We only have one life on this earth, so we might as well do things that draw us closer to Jesus, until we're able to be with Him someday in heaven.

Now that I've seen what I've seen, in Russia, I am forever changed. (I believe I speak for my husband, as well.) I find myself in a daily battle between my flesh and my spirit. I know there is more work to be done over there, and at the present, we're praying about what God wants us to do. The key however, as we now know through God proving his faithfulness, is when He calls... just being prepared to say... Yes.

(Double click on the photos to enlarge. Participating were: Kevin, Emily, Karis, Evan, and Karrigan. AND members of our 4-H club.)

Already spring and ready for summer!

My girls are ready for summer! We are now beginning our spring break, and it gives me a glimpse into what our summer will be like. Karis and Karrigan always enjoy playing in the backyard, recently, in their new, matching bathing suits, while Evan has developed a new passion for fishing, with his dad. This coming summer will certainly be a change from last summer. It will be more relaxed now that Karis is home and settled, yet, it will be busy with all of the kids' activities... including their bunny 4-H projects. I very much welcome this new season we're in... both literally and personally.

A Fabulous February!

Whew! Life is crazy right now, hence my lack of blogging. The important thing is all in the Kahrs household are happy and healthy. A few photos of what we've been up to this month! Mainly... running two kiddos to basketball, one to gymnastics, and celebrating the Giants Superbowl win!!! (Double click on the photos to enlarge.)

More "New"

Today, Karis experienced two firsts... tubing -and- traveling to another state... Indiana! She has now experienced: Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and New York (at the airport when we flew back to the U.S.)

Today, she was excited to go with friends for a snow adventure! The poor child, used to a lot of snow, hasn't seen much of it this year, so today, was a great opportunity. She was nervous however, after dreaming last night of very intimidating hills! We assured her, they weren't too scary! She texted me, from her friend's cell, when they were on their way home and wrote that the day was super fun!

After receiving this photo, I think next time, this mom needs to go along! :)

Happy Russian Christmas!

It was a pleasure and privledge to attend Living Hope Church's Russian Christmas celebration today, in Centerville. We were invited to the special service, as the church supports missions in Ukraine... Russia's next-door neighbor. We know quite a bit about Ukraine as it's border is near the city in Russia, where we adopted Karis from (Bryansk). Our coordinator, in Russia, was from Kiev, Ukraine and was taking college courses there while working with us. Additionally, we became all too familiar with the Ukrainian train, as we accessed it going to and from Moscow.

We enjoyed a fabulous lunch, all Russian-Ukrainian food, the majority prepared by our very good friends the Stefaniuks. Who would have ever guessed when I met Marisa Stefaniuk, a fellow mom at our wonderful school, that we would have so much in common, a couple of years into our friendship. Quick explanation... her husband has Ukrainian roots; Marisa, as a young girl, traveled to Russia on a missions trip; and a few months after she and I met at a local coffee shop, to discuss our writing hobbies, my husband and I were led to adopt from Russia. So glad God put Marisa and her family in our path. I wonder what more we have in common, after the events of today.

Speaking of today, we learned about an organization called World Light Foundation. www.worldlightfoundation.com President and Founder, Natalya Skala from Ukraine now living in America, spoke and celebrated Christmas with us. She was a true light indeed. We, also, heard about a hosting program the church is involved with which brings Ukrainian orphans to our area, each summer, for about three weeks.

So now... what does God have in store for our family? Being present at today's festivities was no fluke. Our family's busy schedule actually permitted it. It's time to seek prayer... time to ask God what He has for us in 2012. I'm quite certain it's not another adoption, but I would never say never, if that's what He was asking.
Whatever it is, I'm sure it will be exciting. Stand by for updates...

So, for more about Russian Christmas... a good explanation from http://russian-crafts.com/customs/christmas.htm

Thirteen days after Western Christmas, on January 7th, the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates its Christmas, in accordance with the old Julian calendar. It's a day of both solemn ritual and joyous celebration.

After the 1917 Revolution, Christmas was banned throughout Russia, along with other religious celebrations. It wasn't until 75 years later, in 1992, that the holiday was openly observed. Today, it's once again celebrated in grand fashion, with the faithful participating in an all-night Mass in incense-filled Cathedrals amidst the company of the painted icons of Saints.

Christmas is one of the most joyous traditions for the celebration of Eve comes from the Russian tradition. On the Eve of Christmas, it is traditional for all family members to gather to share a special meal. The various foods and customs surrounding this meal differed in Holy Russia from village to village and from family to family, but certain aspects remained the same.

An old Russian tradition, whose roots are in the Orthodox faith, is the Christmas Eve fast and meal. The fast, typically, lasts until after the evening worship service or until the first star appears. The dinner that follows is very much a celebration, although, meat is not permitted. Kutya (kutia), a type of porridge, is the primary dish. It is very symbolic with its ingredients being various grains for hope and honey and poppy seed for happiness and peace.

Once the first star has appeared in the sky, the festivities begin. Although all of the food served is strictly Lenten, it is served in an unusually festive and anticipatory manner and style. The Russians call this meal: "The Holy Supper." The family gathers around the table to honor the coming Christ Child. A white table-cloth, symbolic of Christ's swaddling clothes, covers the Table. Hay is brought forth as a reminder of the poverty of the Cave where Jesus was born. A tall white candle is place in the center of the Table, symbolic of Christ "the Light of the World." A large round loaf of Lenten bread, "pagach," symbolic of Christ the Bread of Life, is placed next to the Candle.

The meal begins with the Lord's Prayer, led by the father of the family. A prayer of thanksgiving for all the blessings of the past year is said and then prayers for the good things in the coming year are offered. The head of the family greets those present with the traditional Christmas greeting: "Christ is Born!" The family members respond: "Glorify Him!" The Mother of the family blesses each person present with honey in the form of a cross on each forehead, saying: "In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, may you have sweetness and many good things in life and in the new year." Following this, everyone partakes of the bread, dipping it first in honey and then in chopped garlic. Honey is symbolic of the sweetness of life, and garlic of the bitterness. The "Holy Supper" is then eaten (see below for details). After dinner, no dishes are washed and the Christmas presents are opened. Then the family goes to Church, coming home between 2 and 3 am. On the Feast of the Nativity, neighbors and family members visit each other, going from house to house , eating, drinking and singing Christmas Carols all the day long.

Merry Christmas (again) all!