To be real

It was a rainy day. A long day. I have these kinds of days at home....the kind where you just want to curl up under a blanket and watch movies all day. You know what i mean right?  It felt like a fall day. Rain fell all day. These days are hard in your own country, in your own home, with "normal" food and water, with your own mode of transportation, with a TV that speaks your language.

(Aren't you glad you logged on to the blog today?)

I hesitate to write wondering if I sound negative or "blah".....but I am going to post this anyway. It's a 

good practice in being authentic and real.

As soon as I walked out of my bedroom this morning Valera said, "UNO?" Sure...why not? The new tally is about 120-34. (That's a lot of UNO my friends.)

Valera was cooped up today,  pushing my buttons, trying to see what he could get away with, etc.  I had to use the google translate for only the second time....."when you do the right thing and listen, I will take you ice skating. If you choose not to listen, then no ice skating".

He rallied. We played more UNO. Anya was supposed to come at 4 to take us ice skating. She called at 4:15 telling us it would be 5:00 instead. Valera was looking out the window for the car, when we got a call from Anya at 5:15 saying 10 more minutes. 

Finally at 5:30 we left to ice skate, eat at the food court, walk around, etc. It was good for the soul.

As soon as we walked back in the apartment, Valera said, "UNO?"

Sure...why not?

We had our usual prayer time, and hugs good night. Valera is excited that it's my dad's birthday tomorrow. As we were saying good night, Valera said, "happy birthday tomorrow" as he pointed at my dad. I had been teaching him the birthday song throughout the day and when he says "happy birthday" it is always to the tune of the song. So sweet.

I must admit though that I came into my room afterwards and cried. It was a long day and there are so many emotions and feelings swirling around. See, I am trying to show love and kindness in hopes of bonding with Valera, but also need to set boundaries and limits. All while not speaking the same language. 

And that's part of why I want to be real with you tonight....so that you know how to pray for me, and for us.  Please pray that I would have the wisdom to know how to balance kindness with firmness.  Please pray that the Holy Spirit would continue to work through me. He is the only One who really knows what Valera needs.

Please pray that my dad would have a great birthday and that he would feel all the love from the USA. 

Good night. Pleasant dreams.