tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88616551379793925992024-03-12T22:18:49.964-04:00The JourneyTHE ELLISOR FAMILYSteve and Carol Ellisorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068881232058505000noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861655137979392599.post-56038473396361006962012-11-05T15:50:00.000-05:002012-11-05T16:05:02.044-05:00OPEN ARMS IS EXCITED TO INVITE YOU TO
COME HEAR
ALEX KRUTOV
AS HE SHARES HIS STORY AND OFFERS VALUABLE INSIGHT AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO ADOPTIVE FAMILIES AND ORPHANS.
NOVEMBER 12, 2012 AT 7PM
CHRISTIAN LIFE CHURCH
2700 BUSH RIVER RD.
COLUMBIA SC 29210
ROOM 250
Alex Krutov Steve and Carol Ellisorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068881232058505000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861655137979392599.post-10675864535104668672011-06-18T23:40:00.001-04:002011-06-18T23:42:15.616-04:00Grandma and the Boys
We were greeted with hugs, kisses and roses. It was such a joy to finally meet Sasha (the kids older brother)! He smiles as much as Pasha and is working so hard to do something with his life. We were so happy to have some time with Sasha, Jenya and Grandma Galina. They are all doing pretty well.
Sasha is home from sea for a few months, taking some more classes to try to get a better job aboardSteve and Carol Ellisorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068881232058505000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861655137979392599.post-32280473263720261372011-06-15T09:18:00.001-04:002011-06-16T09:34:19.798-04:00One Day in OdessaWALL MURAL AT #9
Psalm 126
A song of ascents.
1 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter then,
and our tongues with shouts of joy.
Then they said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."
3 The LORD had done great things for us;
we were joyful.
4 Restore our fortunes, LORD,
like watercourses in Steve and Carol Ellisorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068881232058505000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861655137979392599.post-68240874024412056092011-06-09T23:17:00.002-04:002011-06-10T08:01:49.563-04:00SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEKOdessa is a beautiful city, but with much oppression, open shameless prostitution, and a missing older generation, among many other struggles. As we walked the city, Cameron noted that there weren't many younger kids, (abortion is common practice) and most of the people 40 - 60 are either dead or in prison. We haven't checked the statistics, but as you look out on the general population what you Steve and Carol Ellisorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068881232058505000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861655137979392599.post-27030328925202698832011-06-08T09:45:00.000-04:002011-06-08T09:45:48.152-04:00ODESSA A BEAUTIFUL CITYThe first weekend you saw in our earlier post and so we're sorry for the unlabeled photos....but the internet was unreliable at times, as were our emotions. So, it was often hard to write even when we had a few minutes. There was just so much to process.
Monday morning started with hot tea in the courtyard. Laurie and Hector had gone around the corner (literally) to McDonald's and were having Steve and Carol Ellisorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068881232058505000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861655137979392599.post-46394898043624526472011-06-01T02:05:00.000-04:002011-06-01T02:05:56.367-04:00Random PhotosSteve and Carol Ellisorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068881232058505000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861655137979392599.post-35242968105409953562011-05-31T18:58:00.001-04:002011-05-31T19:00:39.978-04:00Sunday Night
Steve ready for church
Relationships are such the point. We walked quickly toward church this morning excited to be back at Light of (the) World. Steve walked in first, but he had shaved his mustache and he received the look of “I know you, but how do I know you", but as I rounded the corner Anya saw me and jumped up with a huge smile and a welcoming hug and kiss. Oh that was like refreshing Steve and Carol Ellisorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068881232058505000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861655137979392599.post-71513012317970724092011-05-29T02:07:00.001-04:002011-05-29T02:07:26.085-04:00Internet at Last
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Friday night – Our Arrival- As we left for our trip Thursday morning, Lynn, a friend of ours, called Laurie and told her she had something for us! She had created 6 cards with special words of encouragement and challenge for us to open along the route of our journey. We open one of themSteve and Carol Ellisorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068881232058505000noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861655137979392599.post-39873089580183829612011-05-28T07:33:00.000-04:002011-05-28T07:33:23.324-04:00We're Here!Had a great flight over. Details to come tonight!
Thanks for all the prayer.
<!--Session data-->Steve and Carol Ellisorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068881232058505000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861655137979392599.post-37896479781558334012011-05-26T00:04:00.000-04:002011-05-26T00:04:43.924-04:00Off To OdessaSix of us will fly to Odessa tomorrow and see where God will lead us. We have a list of people to visit / minister to and a multitude of things to do, but we are all in agreement that we will follow Him and hunt for treasures. We hope to update this daily so you can follow our latest adventure.
Blessings on you all,
Steve, Carol, Steven, Cameron, Laurie and Hector
PS Please pray for our Steve and Carol Ellisorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068881232058505000noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861655137979392599.post-53447743138304826602011-04-15T15:42:00.001-04:002011-04-15T16:23:57.852-04:00Spring TimeI've been doing a Bible Study on the book of Jonah recently. It's so interesting to think that all Jonah had to do was obey, it seems so easy when it's him, in a book, and we have the privileged to look back in time....but not so easy each day when there are real challenges staring at you in the face. Four of them literally staring me in the face! What if you obey and then you have to remind Steve and Carol Ellisorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068881232058505000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861655137979392599.post-45833468058796677882011-03-17T14:47:00.011-04:002011-03-17T15:20:37.138-04:00Prayer Request for Darryl Andrews
We are calling all prayer warriors! Please pray for Pasha's band instructor.Mr. Andrews is an amazing man with a huge heart for his students. He really took Pasha under his wing last year when Pasha showed up in his class on his second week in the US asking to join the band . They were both so excited and learned to understand each other even with Pasha's broken English at the time.
RightSteve and Carol Ellisorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068881232058505000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861655137979392599.post-17617162471144728082011-03-09T17:16:00.000-05:002011-03-09T17:16:06.859-05:00Feb. 2011
Happy Valentine's Day.....we made cookies for lots of friends and all the kids.
- Nonah -
Pasha went with Ben Lippen band to Chicago!
Not sure who is winning Tim1 or Andrew.
Food Angels showed up again. Thank you Jesus!
Lyonya diligently studies science.
Andrew working through his math lessons.
Galya showing her newly sewn pillowcase.
"Life is full of joy!" That isSteve and Carol Ellisorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068881232058505000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861655137979392599.post-59101010164212120482011-01-27T22:35:00.006-05:002011-02-07T21:10:05.233-05:00And AgainGod just keeps on showing off! I love watching the kids watch Him at work.The food angels showed up today....twice. Once this afternoon, then again tonight with another bag of bread from a local bakery.A lot of this food was cooked and went with our friends Laurie and Hector Pineda to their weekly outreach in Five Points for the poor and homeless. You can find out more about PurelightMinistry Steve and Carol Ellisorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068881232058505000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861655137979392599.post-50905865979381280552011-01-19T07:59:00.009-05:002011-01-19T08:28:11.754-05:00THE FOOD ANGELS SHOWED UP AGAIN Ever seen a food angel? We have. Over and over and over.About 8 months ago we started praying asking God for manna. At the time we had 12 people living here, along with friends, family and neighbors that always show up right at meal time. It makes for an overwhelming food budget, but we love people and we love feeding them. So we would pray and the Lord would send food. One day friends filled Steve and Carol Ellisorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068881232058505000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861655137979392599.post-7983345990142775302010-12-29T15:06:00.009-05:002011-04-06T23:50:19.416-04:00GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISESThere was one night in Odessa last year that we wept as never before. We knew without a miracle from God's hand we would not leave Odessa with our 4 children- but He provided a way. There were other nights this past year we wept too---times when you don't know how to convince a child that you are not going to abandon them, but He provided a way, or nights that they dream nightmares of memories – Steve and Carol Ellisorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068881232058505000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861655137979392599.post-8603516914906835222010-10-12T23:07:00.005-04:002011-02-07T22:54:30.575-05:00One Year HomePraise Jesus.
Today, tonight is the night. Last year about this time we landed in Columbia and were welcomed home by family and friends. We've made it through our first year and have so many stories to tell.
Today we were thinking about how different all our lives are now. Usually we are up early an busy with school or co-op classes by 9am, but today was different. We were all pretty Steve and Carol Ellisorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068881232058505000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861655137979392599.post-41627496022600273092010-09-27T13:07:00.007-04:002010-12-13T10:34:32.008-05:00All my devotionIt is absolutely amazing how much can happen in one year! September 8, 2010...one year since the adoption was final. September 21, 2010....one year since we picked up 4 children from the orphanages they called home... and brought them to live in a strange country, with a new language and a new family. Many others have done the same, but it has been a miracle none the less. A miracle of God's Steve and Carol Ellisorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068881232058505000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861655137979392599.post-47858548723279482512010-07-06T20:51:00.017-04:002010-07-06T21:27:17.207-04:00Happy Birthday USA! The Family plus a few...but they are family too!We go to court on July 16th here in SC to obtain US birth certificates for the kids and have the paperwork we need to obtain their citizenship. It should all be formality, but we take nothing for granted and request your prayers as we offer up ours.The Father has continued to provide for us abundantly above all we could think or ask. Thank you so Steve and Carol Ellisorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068881232058505000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861655137979392599.post-9855981634005359332010-06-07T16:25:00.004-04:002010-06-07T16:47:07.043-04:00Open Arm AdoptionWe had our first adoption support group meeting May 24th. We had 5 families in our group. We have lots of plans already in the works. Detail will follow. Our next meeting will be Monday July 5th at 7 p.m.Steve and Carol Ellisorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068881232058505000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861655137979392599.post-10804831595946135642010-02-19T22:00:00.011-05:002010-04-07T20:25:02.418-04:00They Teach Us Every DayWe were working on a project for Andrew's room and it had been a long frustrating day. With sweat on his brow, Steve said, "One day I would just like to hear one of them say thank you for this!" He spoke this in jest....but I heard the Lord say so clearly, "Me too. One day, I would like to hear you say thank you for this!" Wow, it still is so amazing to me how much we have to learn, how simple itSteve and Carol Ellisorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068881232058505000noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861655137979392599.post-43916396807324515532010-02-17T22:33:00.006-05:002010-02-19T14:27:44.384-05:00Believing GodWell we've been home for a while now and have finished with a few major family events, so it appears the time has come to get back in the saddle and step out again. Beginning in March we will be facilitating an adoption support group at our church. Our hope for this group is really multifaceted. We would like to be a place for people interested in adoption to come and seek out information, a Steve and Carol Ellisorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068881232058505000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861655137979392599.post-72708645614255374492010-01-30T22:20:00.020-05:002010-02-19T21:39:45.002-05:00Is there such a thing as a typical week?Someone asked me one day what our typical week is like....I'm not sure what is typical...but here goes.The children have all enjoyed getting involved in various ministries at our church, Christian Life. Lyonya, Pasha and Galia all attend Saturate Youth and Bible study classes, Andrew attends Kid Zone Children's church, Kid's choir and Royal Rangers. They each have begun to make relationship withSteve and Carol Ellisorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068881232058505000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861655137979392599.post-77059256641030913872010-01-23T22:00:00.003-05:002010-01-23T22:12:25.610-05:00January BBQToday we had a barbeque to celebrate the marriage of JD and Meg. So with all 9 kids and all 7 grandkids in one room I had to have a picture. Someone said that Caitlin our granddaughter was crying in the photo...I said it didn't matter....she was in the picture! JD (Jeremiah), Matthew, Rebekah, Tracy, and Tim (Back row) and Pasha, Andrew, Galia and Lyonya (Front Row)MARC ANTHONY,CONNOR, SAMUEL Steve and Carol Ellisorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068881232058505000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861655137979392599.post-36014501336487580582010-01-05T21:04:00.036-05:002010-01-10T00:29:39.555-05:00Great is Thy FaithfulnessTHE ELLISOR FAMILYWhat a season of change it's been. Only God's faithfulness could have brought us thru into 2010. It's been challenging, at times frustrating, painful, and scary. It's also been exhilarating, happy, joyful and exciting. Most often the problem was going from extreme to extreme with very little notice. Since returning home with 4 new children, we have celebrated 6 birthdays, 2 Steve and Carol Ellisorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068881232058505000noreply@blogger.com0