Yuliya's French connection

This is one of my favorite sayings. As we go along this journey, Carrie and I continue to learn little by little how many people, in one way or another, have had a positive influence in Yuliya's life, despite the circumstances she's grown up in.

While Yuliya was here, she often talked about her experiences in France, where she was sent through a similar hosting program for 4 summers. In fact, she knew so much French, she preferred to watch movies with the French language overlay. Ever watched 'The Little Mermain' in French? It's interesing! :).

We recently received an email from André and Françoise. They are the French couple who hosted Yuliya for the past several summers. Their emails are very kind and friendly, and it is very clear that Yuliya was in good hands. The emails have been filled with sentiments about how Yuliya is a kind, loving, good-hearted girl who deserves to have a good family. We continue to exchange emails with them, and continue to learn more and more about her family and up-bringing. They are helping us understand more clearly Yuliya's situation, how she got here, and other things we may not know otherwise. Our hearts have been touched deeply by this couple's efforts to reach out to us -- total strangers -- and exchange information with us. There is so much we are learning. We are thankful that God allowed her to spend so much time with these people who have obviously had a positive and profound effect on her life forever. They hold a piece of the red thread that has helped shape Yuliya into such a great girl. Here is a picture they sent to us from 2005 - the first year Yuliya went to France. Thank you André and Françoise for playing such a vital role in Yuliya's life and making her a better person and providing her a warm, loving home away from the orphanage.