Ebenezer

That means "by God's help we've come this far." We are impatiently waiting for the perfect place to open up so that we can move and get on with Christmas and getting ready for second semester. We've followed several leads but nothing is in sight for the immediate future. The closest possibility seems to be the beginning of January when we need to have all the moving done and preparation for school made.

While we are wondering what's around this corner, we can't help but be reminded of God's faithfulness every time we go out the door and get into the classy van that God so graciously provided through our Alaskan friends. Thanks so much!!

Here is Dave thoroughly enjoying poring over the owner's manual . . . quite awhile before he got behind the wheel.

Family and fun

Our first stop has been in central Pennsylvania, where most of our children live. It's been a special blessing to be able to spend time with each of them. Thank you Bethany and Jason for sharing your home with us.


Here's Seth and Davey.


Here's Daniel.

Then we headed on to Delaware, where Brenda, Dave's sister totally spoiled us and our children.


She took us to an intriguing little Mexican restaurant, where we stuffed ourselves.


Bill picked up a black Lab from the local pound. For Vova it was love at first sight.


And we all got tickled at Brenda's attention to Bill's holey sock. First she covered it with her coffee cup; then she tied the end in a knot so that it wouldn't cut into his toes!
We were there the day Mom Krolicki had a chemotherapy treatment. Allona and Vova got to ride Brenda's moped.

We were back to PA on Sunday. The kids in the Gospel Station at Beavertown had a short Christmas program. Here's a picture of Charity's "kids."

Home

For the first time, we were sitting in a jet while its wings were de-iced. I tried to get a picture but it didn't turn out. Because of that we were a little late taking off but arrived in New York on time.

Kirk, Charity and Nathan were wondering if they were at the right terminal after waiting for two hours. But we came through the doors a little after 5 pm. Our luggage was long on coming through and the customs inspector did NOT let us bring in two cans of sweetened condensed milk from Ukraine.

We made it to Bethany's house, were there yesterday and plan to leave today for Delaware.

We investigated one possibility for a house to live in, and it fell through.

But God knows where we're at and what we need. I'm sure He will take care of us in His time and His way.

On Wednesday morning I found out that the Sturtevant family was coming that night. Joanna was going to help my Mom fix the Thanksgiving meal. Josh and I had a lot of fun. We played outside and did everything!

After the Thanksgiving meal, all of us went to a waterfall.

OH, I forgot to tell you . . . that I drove the Mazda by myself

Vova

Next

We have to pack, probably do some more on school and shut our house down to leave it. It will still be open for visitors if someone comes to help Katrina and for services so that means we leave a lot of stuff out for our visitors' use.

Dave is replacing a window pane in the shed today. Hopefully we find a leak in the roof and seal it off. We're sorting clothes and I'm blogging because there may not be much more chance for awhile.



Here are some clothes, waiting for the packing process.

Birthday

Thanks to everyone who wrote and called on my birthday. Mother and Daddy stayed up until midnight to call me at 7 am in Ukraine. I picked up the phone the day before, saying an English hello because I expected to talk to Katrina and it was my brother, Tim, calling from New York! I got emails from a bunch of people that I don't hear from very often . . . guess I need to double the frequency of my birthdays!! Thank you!

Because of the time, there weren't a lot of pictures. Dave and Seth fixed a very special meal.

And I had some of my favorite treats, flowers and ice cream.

Then I began preparing for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving

God, friends and family--- add that to good food and fellowship and you have the recipe for a wonderful Thanksgiving.

We've been able to talk to most of our children who aren't on this side of the ocean about once a week with the miracle of Skype.

We had some of our children here, lots of food, and friends.

The rolls were among the biggest hit of the meal.

Friends.

After the meal and a phone call to the US, we took off to see a waterfall. It was pretty dark by the time we got there. But the hike down to it, because the roads were too muddy to pass was good exercise and we enjoyed it.

Then we came back home to play Guesstures. Jessica Sturtevant and Allona chose teams. We had fun