Pastor Alan & Kim - WARNING...you might want to get a tissue before reading

Open Apology to Parents Worldwide

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As a 48 year old man without children I have a confession. Whenever I hear someone say," I just want my kids to be happy" it used to bother me. My own parents have said that and I always believed there was more to life than just being happy. I'm starting to revisit my philosophies on child rearing and I may owe some of you an apology.
Kim and I spent the morning shopping. I am usually very frugal. I don't fill my car up because if I'm in an accident I'll waste all that fuel. I wanted everything in the store. I could see daughter number one opening a new pair of shoes for the first time and experiencing that new leather smell. I could see daughter two twirling in her first new dress ever. I could see daughter three giggling as she opened the box and then jumping on me in her new jeans because she is all about papa. I pictured all of them happy and for a moment I would pay whatever the price for that joy.
After shopping and going to lunch where I mistakenly ended up in the ladies room we headed to the orphanage one last time.  We brought in a truckload of new clothes. Our children came running down the hallway when they saw us. Their eyes lit up when they saw the bags of clothes and chocolate. Kim helped each one into their shoes and dresses and each one of them smiled, twirled, hugged mama and said," spaciba." Daughter number three thanked mama and then planted herself on my back all day. We played slap jack, sang, and taught English. They laughed and chewed gum all day long and we talked about living in America and flying on planes.  For a couple of hours there was joy.
As we said goodbye their faces dropped and tears started. A thousand kisses later we left the orphanage for the last time. We will be back in six weeks but for now I just want one thing for my kids. I want them to be happy again.  I don't think that makes me a hypocrite. It makes me a daddy.
Btw: I would like a new golf bag for Fathers Day.
Alan and Kim

Shopping in Chita-Pastor Alan and Kim update

Shopping in Chita

Today we began teaching our daughters some valuable lessons. Lesson number one was on trust. One of our girls desperately needed shoes but when you ask if they need anything they say no.  We measured their feet and spent the evening buying shoes because their feet are blistered. They will learn tomorrow that mama and papa care about them and they should feel open to ask us for shoes, food, and the basics.

They need to know how happy it makes us to be able to give these things. At some point we will transfer this knowledge to our Father in heaven but for now this will do. We went shopping with Katia, our EAC rep, and she helped us get shoes and work out pants.  Jesus' words from Matthew 7 were on my mind as we were shopping, "if you then, though you are evil, give good gifts to your children how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him?".
Our thrill of buying shoes teaches them that they are valuable to us. They are worth it and we cringe to think that they would suffer rather
than ask. Lesson number two was learning how to act like a family. We played games and drew pictures. They learned how to praise one another and celebrate. One daughter tears up when you praise her. She doesn't know how to respond.  We told them today that we would be back tomorrow and then gone for a while they were a little tearful. Like most children in their state they suck it up and try to adjust.  These are more lessons for another day.
Alan and Kim

What A Day - Update on Pastor Alan and Kim

What a Day

Have you ever waited 512 days for something?  I have. It was a thousand times better than anything we had ever dreamed. We can't share pictures and names of our kids right now but sit back and enjoy this ride We walked into the orphanage where our 3 daughters had been dressed up just for us.
Kim and I hugged them and the next three hours were a blur of activity. One of our girls likes animals. She had a mouse two fish and an illegal cat on the second floor. She made me pet the mouse.  We had bubble blowing contests and each girl shared their talent with us. Two of them have beautiful voices and one is an artist. They displayed their ballet skills and kissed us every chance they could.   The social worker who observed us was very pleased. They laughed at our accents but we did not have any trouble communicating.  All three of our girls are funny and laugh a lot. This is a good trait for a Clark.

Before I try to sleep Kim and I want to say thank you. We are here because God called us but He used your check books. . Our friends and family invested in their future. These girls have a long and difficult road ahead but  they have a fan club that believes in them. I can't stop writing because we are so excited. In the words of Michael Buble,"I feel just like I'm living someone else's life. It's like I just stepped outside when everything was going right."
Alan and Kim

Pastor Alan's Blog - Waiting in Moscow

WAITING IN MOSCOW

 

We are sitting in the Moscow airport eating sbarros pizza. I know that isn't Russian but we need comfort food right now. We found a wifi spot here at the airport so we can check all of our messages although everyone we know is hopefully sleeping.
The Lord did everything he could to help me sleep on the plane. I had seats to myself by a cool window and I took melatonin. Nevertheless  still watched the clock for 10 hours. Kim got comfortable and slept.
Moscow is solid white as always. It is a beautiful and sunny day but whenever the doors open you are reminded that it is 12 below. The airport is very different from the last time we were here. We have electricity this time. The last time we were here was a natural disaster.
I sat all night wondering about our kids. Are they staying up all night wondering if we are really coming?  Are they scared?  Are they hoping for rich parents or are they happy just to have a mommy and a daddy?  I've rehearsed my first line a few times. I may just say"privet Kristina.". I might just hug them. I may even try a good line from a movie. I'm trying to decide between " you had me at privet" and the classic line from Somewhere in Time " is it you?".
 Pako. We have to go. We are looking for a place to rest for a few hours.
 Alan and Kim