Having a great summer!

Greetings,

I wanted to send out an update on what we’ve been up to for the past two weeks.  Vita and Zarina have settled into our family and we’re having an exciting and fun time having them as our summer guests.

Amelia and Zarina as Troy and Gabriella from High School Musical 2.

Zarina, Amelia and Vita in the pool, a frequent happening.

With the girls’ friend, Terri (left).

One of Rachel’s friends, Sara, joined us at Taco Bell before we headed to the beach. I realize the girls have Chic-fil-A bags. We went through their drive-thru before we got to the Bell because not everyone is as addicted to spicy food as Sandie and me.  In fact, Sara had NEVER been to a Taco Bell.  Now, that’s just wrong!

The girls enjoy playing Tangoes, a Chinese game where you make shapes with a given set of shapes. It’s quite challenging.

A friend loaned us the prom dresses.  The girls love them and enjoy playing dress up.

Playing in Amelia’s room with scrapbooks and such.

Attempting to play a game of Clue. It was hard translating how to play in Russian, and so we finally gave up.

Zarina doing some art work.

Vita doing some art work.

Playing a memory game. Yes, games are popular. They have worn out Uno.

A day at the Wilmington Ice House.

Zarina and Amelia

Vita and Rachel.  The spot on Vita’s face is a severe sun burn she got the first weekend after she arrived.  It is actually looking much better than it did.

Having a blast on our driveway.

Until next time,

Mark

 

Our Belarussian guests have arrived!

L to R: Rachel, Vita, Zaryna & Amelia

Our summer guests are here. My dad, Lloyd Loudermilk, drove to Wilmington from north Georgia to assist our group by driving the bus from Wilmington to Charlotte this past Thursday. Our mission was to pick up the 17 Belarussian students who are staying with Wilmington families for the next six weeks.  After leaving at 8am that morning, we made it back home at midnight and made it to bed by 1 a.m. However, early the next morning, the girls were in the pool by 7:15!!!

Our guests are sisters Viyaleta (Vita, for short) and Zaryna. They are age 12 and 11 and told us that they are from a family of twelve children. Their personalities fit perfectly with our two girls, Vita being more mature and quiet like Rachel, and Zaryna being more spunky and outgoing like Amelia. They speak fairly good English. One thing that they do NOT like is cheese. Can you imagine?  :-) It looks like our summer will be quite adventurous.

Many thanks again to all those who contributed to this ministry with us and provided funds for both of these children to come to the U.S. for the summer.

Until next time,

Mark and Sandie

 

Welcome to our new blog!

Greetings! This is the home of our new family blog. We will use this to keep our friends and family up-to-date on what’s happening with us. So save the link and check back periodically. And feel free to comment on our posts!

We are very excited to be hosting TWO Belarussian children in our home this summer for six weeks. We have learned they are sisters and that their names are Viyaleta (age 12) and Zaryna (age 11). We are scheduled to pick them up at the Charlotte airport on June 11th. For now, that’s all we know. For more info on the organization that brings these children over, click on the ABRO link to the right.

Our architecture business (proVision) has pulled up the landing gear and is defeating gravity. Mark is presently working on two projects and has a possible third starting this coming week. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out our web page (also to the right).

Sandie has planted a very nice garden and is working on it daily.  It is a great way for her to enjoy some quiet time to herself.

Rachel and Amelia are enjoying the beginning of summer, but are looking forward to the arrival of our summer guests.

We will keep you posted as the season progresses.

Sending much love and warm thoughts your way!

Mark, Sandie, Rachel & Amelia