It's a...

And here's my 22-week tummy...He may be small, but, boy, is he active!

We were ALL FIVE hoping for another little girl so that we would have an even number of girls and boys, but apparently, that is not God’s will. However, we also know and understand that Ukraine is in dire need of godly young men, so we are humbled that God would count us worthy to rear little men for Him for this purpose. AND, I adore the two boys we already have, so what more could a mother ask for?!

The first person we called and told was Alina, the 18-year old girl in our church who is bedridden. She was, as you can imagine, very excited and honored that we would share the news with her first.

And, once Daddy scooped little 3-year-old Brianna into his arms to let her know that she would always be the only little Princess in his life, she quickly forgot her disappointment at not getting a sister. How precious is that?!

Missionary Monday - Where is Ukraine?

As we have traveled throughout America, I have been surprised to find out how many people really have no idea where Ukraine is located. So, here is a handy map to show you where these blog posts are being written from: The small area that is dark green is where we actually live. I have always been a southern girl and since David grew up in Mexico, we are conveniently enjoying living in the "south." {smile} We call this peninsula that we live on (the Crimean peninsula that juts into the Black Sea), our little "Florida."

Ukraine is a typically cold country. If you were to look at a world map, you would see that we are as far north as southern Canada. However, we do get a slight break in the weather since we are nearly as far south as you can get here in Ukraine. God does truly love us and has our best interests in mind (including my love of WARMTH!)

And, here is what the Ukrainian flag looks like:
It has no symbols, and is really a very simple flag. However, you can see below that the Ukrainians got the idea for their flag from God's beautiful creation:

I added the verse and the last picture is part of the video presentation I recently finished for our furlough back home.

In just 8 days, we leave for America. This brings me goosebumps because it brings me that much closer to holding my newest little one in my arms. And, tomorrow, I have another ultrasound....!

A Christ-honoring Ukrainian Wedding

Last Saturday, a wedding was held at our church that has been anticipated for such a long time! Lena, the bride, grew up in our church, and Igor has been a part of the church since he was 14 years old, I believe.

Igor and Lena dated for more than 4 years, and most of that time, they were counseled not to date. Igor was unsaved and not interested in becoming a Christian. Lena came to a point in her life where she finally decided to follow God's will and not her heart. Eventually, Igor was saved, and the two of them make an outstanding couple today! Lena told me the day of her wedding, "It is so worth it to wait and do things according to God's will. This day could not be any more beautiful, and I know that everything is falling into place because we sought to do things right." Beautifully said.

Lena, the gorgeous bride Brianna (flower girl) and Anna (junior bridesmaid)
Guestbook and "Money mailbox" for the bride and groom

Homemade cakes (no cake mixes here, ladies!) that took Nelya, the maid of honor, hours to complete

The ring bearer, our darling 6-year-old Nate, who carried the actual rings! (We were not so brave... we gave our ringbearer plastic look-alikes)

The flower girl, our princess 3-year old, Brianna who, by the way, relished every single minute of this dress-up occasion

Nelya, the maid of honor

It took Brianna so long to make it down the aisle, as she painstakingly dropped the rose petals one at a time! (no easy task when you're wearing gloves!)

Igor and Lena exchanging wedding rings, after they were safely delivered by our little man (Whew! We were able to relax after this!)

Lena's parents, who are both deaf. Lena is our deaf interpreter, and simply the best around!

Walking out to the car

The grand, rented car

The darling new couple

The kids, still enjoying blowing bubbles long after the bride and groom had whisked away

Ukrainian weddings are an all-day event. The early morning started out with the official paper-signing downtown (and the bride and groom were already dressed for the day). The wedding was held at 12:00. Then, a wedding banquet that lasted 3 hours was scheduled for 4:00. While everyone prepared the church building for the banquet, the bride and groom drove around town to get their pictures at important statues and monuments in town, a Ukrainian custom that welcomes them into society.

At the wedding banquet, the children take turns quoting Christian love poetry to the bride and groom

Cutting the banquet wedding cake

Preparing to throw the bouquet

May God's richest blessings always be abundant in your lives, Igor and Lena, as you seek to serve Him together each day of your lives!