Family In The Philipines!!

So I have come to call two amazing girls in the Philippines my family from afar and they have come to do the same. The youngest went to the eye doctor and got glasses about a week ago. I am going to let you see the pictures. The one in glasses is 10 and her older sister is 15. I hope you enjoy. :D

 

 

 

More Photos Of My Antares Boys

So I have not had the chance to post lately. Been kind of off my game in posting. So I wanted to take this time to show you some photos of my Antares boys.


First is for Tolya:

In one day I got three photos of my boy Tolya I love these I got this day.
Two for letters and one for pictures! I love the photo with him holding the pictures especially. The first two photos came with his response letter I sent the other with the other letter. I love this photo! Why you may ask??? I mentioned in his response letter that I saw his photo of him with my letter and I thought his smirk was really really nice, but I saw him smiling in a photo and it was an absolutely beautiful smile. He smiled in this photo!! All out smiled!! He said he wanted to really see some of the things I made one day so since the photo limit is two photos I used that space to let him get a glimpse of what he wanted to see. a painting I did and some crocheting I did. The back photo that came with his other letter I guess showed up at the right time. It was some of my photography. I love to take pictures of flowers. Such a lovely photo of him. Beyond happy.

Tolya with the first letter he got that day from me.

Tolya with the second letter he got that day from me. Got a smirk here.

 

Now to my favorite picture I got this day. The one I mentioned above. The pictures and the amazing smile. :D

 

Got another sweet photo of Tolya with another letter this Friday. He is too sweet and that smirk of his is priceless. I think he may of gotten a haircut.

Now for my Valera:

I got another photo of my Valera! He is a sweetie. Love the smirk in this photo.

 

Got another sweet photo of Valera with another letter this Friday. He is too sweet with his smirk.

 

 

Great news, but terrifying for me!!

So it is official. I have been talking to my preacher about speaking about compassion to raise money for the kids where ever it may be needed along with maybe get some children I have sponsored. Everyone that knows me personally know I highly dislike attention focused on me and speaking in public. This will be the only crowd I have ever spoken in front of other than public speaking classes along with the biggest crowd. Not this Sunday but the next. Really really nervous already and I just found out. Please pray I can do well not for me, but for the kids it will help. My speech can make difference for the children. Also pray for my little cousin Julie she will be helping me and keeping me from falling on my face or something!! Eepppp!!

New Photos!!

So I got three new photos!! One of Tolya and two of Phillip!!!
A second picture of Tolya with a letter I sent. He has a buddy with him this time. They seem to be very close.

 

 

My sweet Phillip when Julie and a few others went to visit in Uganda. He is so sweet. He has a mom, but chooses to call me mummy as they say in Uganda. He is such a great child.

 

 

 

So Much Cuteness And Excitement That I am in Overload!!

Was very pleased to Friday get an email from one of the ladies with Antares. When you get an email from this particular one it means you have a photo of one of your kids. This time I got one of sweet Valera.
Here's his first photo I got of him...

Not long after I got one of my Tolya. A few days later of course. He also sent me his first letter. Boy that was quick. He told me of his family. Which explained why he was in the orphanage. Told me so much about himself. Said he wanted to hear me sing. Those that know me know very few have heard me sing. I think he has me suckered into it. I told him I wanted to hear him sing too if I had to. He also in his first letter said I was now his friend and he wanted to meet me. Such a sweet boy. Here he is....

I also sent Valera on a bookstore trip. Here are the photos with him pictured on the trip.

I then Friday was surprised with another photo of Valera! With another letter I sent to him!

That same day I received another email welcoming me to a Nicaragua compassion center. I checked my account that night to see why that may have popped up to see I guess they had assigned me another correspondent baby to take Dafner's place. Meet Valeria from Nicaragua. She is 7 years old. :)

As I was looking I noticed another difference in my account. My Marcella or Sela as she likes to be called had a photo update!

Old:

New: I will have to get the one they can email. It is better just as I will for Valeria. Sela has grown. She is now 10 years old. She may be wearing the same dress, but I see new shoes a new hair bow, and a little girl that has gained a little weight. :) I even got a smirk type of smile in this one. The dress may be because of something I said. I told her her dress was beautiful.

Saturday I found a photo posted up of one of my orphan boys with a few dance groups. He also danced. A shock to me since in his letter he says he doesn't like to dance or sing. Tolya is the boy standing  up I am guessing laughing at something that his friend he has his hand on and he did.

Then today on a Sunday something I didn't think would happen happened. A great surprise. On a Sunday within like a day I got another photo of my Valera with yet another letter I had sent!

Ok I believe that is all of my excitement for now. Guess this explains why God wouldn't let me upload my photos yet. He wanted me to get that last one of Valera. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A picture of Tolya with the first letter I wrote to him and his letter he wrote back!

Got a letter from Tolya along with a picture! The picture is of him with my first letter to him. Here is the letter and photo!

Hello dear Amanda,

How are you doing? I'm very well, thank you! Busy at school. Now I'd love to tell you about myself. I like playing soccer, basketball and table tennis. In winter I skate and ski. I really like spending time with my friends just like you. They mean a lot for me as well. I'm happy to be your friend. ...

I love music. I listen to calm and quiet music. I don't sing and dance either. I'd love to listen you sing. I'd love to meet you. You can do so many things!!! I'd love to see your drawings, paintings and crocheting. I love sweets. I want to try your sweets some day. I love to take photos for fun as well.

I'm 17. My birthday is August, 2. My favorite colors are black and white. My dad died. His name was Yura. I have mom but I don't think of her as my mom. She deserted our family many years ago. I have 3 brothers: Vova, Borya and Sasha. I want to have a dog and cat when I grow up. Animals are best friends for people.

You are an interesting person I think. Do you like your job?

I'm afraid of spiders and heights. I try to overcome my fears.

I'd love to climb and ski .

Love,
Tolya Kononov

Marcella's second letter!

 

I am now going to post Marcella's letter my mom handed me yesterday. She is just too sweet! She wrote this one herself!

 

 

Here it is:

 

 Dearest Amanda Watts
Shallom! Greetings in Christ's love I am so glad to write you this letter. Thank you for sponsoring me . I already promoted to grade 5. Kindly please pray for me to get success on my education.
We've just celebrated the 68th Independence Day of Indonesia on August 17, 2013. Each house put the Red-White Indonesian flag in front of house....
I pray for you to get success in doing your duties and responsibilities with family. Kindly please pray for me and family.
Bible Verse: Roman 5:12
titled Adam (?) and Christ.
Are you married?
That's all my letter.
Jesus blesses you.