The "magazine"

All of you that have been to Ukraine know that a "magazine" is a store. It can be any kind of store. In certain places, every few hundred yards is a doorway that you can enter to buy cheese, bread, candies, chips, etc. And, of course, alcohol. These are different than our run-of-the mill mini markets because most of these are tiny. They barely hold more than 3-4 people in them, but of course we are in Ukraine, so they will hold 7-8 uncomfortably!!! These are one of the things that I happen to love about Ukraine. No matter where you are, you are only a few steps away from a "magazine". In fact, there is one right across the street from the orphanage. So, as we were leaving from there today, we took the kids there (unofficially) to get an ice cream and Hubba Bubba (pronounced here as Hooba Booba). Kolby did not want ice cream and opted for a package that looked kind of like a Little Debbie cake on the outside. He opened it and offered me a bite. It was ground up sunflower seeds (shell and all), but was sweeter. It looked like the suet that I hang on the trees for the woodpeckers. It is probably not something that I will want to try again, but he really enjoyed it. The lady at this store is so nice and says that we have a "grande family", meaning large family. She knows that we are there adopting, and is most helpful in assisting the kids stay within a budget (we won't break the bank with ice cream as most of it only costs 15-25 cents each.)

Tonight, after we got back home to our apartment, a thin sliver of a moon seemed to be hanging just beyond our balcony; almost like it was hanging from the sky on a string. I was reminded of Psalms 8:3-4:

"When I consider your heavens,

the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars,

which you have set in place,

what is man that you are mindful of him,

the son of man that you care for him?"

I cannot even begin to know how much I am loved by God!!! I don't know why, just that He does. I guess that is the definition of grace!!!

Good night,

Kim