It's a beautiful day. That's what first came into my head to write. Earlier this afternoon I was staring at the birds circling the blue-and-cloud-dabbed sky and thought, "I'm free, God, I'm free!" That I am, nto because of anything I've done, but because He saved me for Himself.
We just enjoyed the ripest, reddest, most delectable raspberries this side of...of...utopia, I think...red raspberries (did I already mention this?) are my favorite fruit, and I've hardly ever had them because they don't grow in East Texas. But they grow here!
Yesterday I got really excited about teaching Tucker and Brent to read. I don't know what we'll be doing for school exactly, but at least for the past few days I've gotten to help them with their phonics, and I forgot how amazign it is to watch the intensity to concentration on their faces, the curving fingers ooching the pencil over the paper, and the final dawn of pleasure in their eyes when they've written a letter all by themselves! YES! Both of them are very eager to learn.
Deb has us all working on school in the afternoon, so we come to the living room and split up, Deb with one or two kids and me with one or two, and we switch out, so we usually get to work with each one each day. I really like that.
Brent and Tuck are so close in age (5 and 7) but they are two completely different boys! Tuck is contemplative and engineering and thinks a lot, while Brent is very clever at building and loves to work with his hands. Tucker seems to be a more visual learner, and he picks up the sounds of the letters very quickly, while his motor skills aren't quite ready yet. Brent, on the other hand, is quickly catching on to writing the letters, but goes slower with learning the sounds. But I think they're both going to learn quickly.
I took a few pictures of them, but I've been on the internet for quite a while; I think I'll wait till later...
Friday, September 5, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Pictures Around the Place
A few pictures...
And here's a little chimney sweep we found on the front porch...no, wait, I think that's Clark, actually! Whaddaya know? This is a paradise for kids, I'm telling you. All that fresh dirt. 
My little path through the woods...
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And here's Noah, my sweetie, at the market with his heating coil and groceries. Can you believe how cute that child is?
This is, from left to right, Ellie (Gollan), Brent's silly head, Angel (Gollan), and Tucker playing in the sand pile next to the barn. You can see this from the kitchen window, although I was outside taking the picture.
And here's a little chimney sweep we found on the front porch...no, wait, I think that's Clark, actually! Whaddaya know? This is a paradise for kids, I'm telling you. All that fresh dirt. My little path through the woods...And here's Noah, my sweetie, at the market with his heating coil and groceries. Can you believe how cute that child is?It's a Good Thing That I'm Not Perfect?
I just got back from a school on the other side of town where Jono, a guy here from New Zealand, was interviewing kids for the English school he's doing. He wanted a few people to come and help serve drinks and cookies and be friendly while he was testing students, etc., and so I went as reinforcements.
So around 4, Jono and his underlings (Natasha, Sveta, Max, and I) went to the school and set up shop in a classroom. He didn't know how many would show up; I guess he had advertised these classes he's doing, so people could just come to sign up if they were interested. Four moms came with their daughters (I guess boys don't want to learn english). Jono tested them on their english skills while Natasha (who works for Jono) did paperwork with the parents. Sveta helped some with that, but most of the time, she and Max and I sat and visited quietly, since nobody wanted cookies, tea, or coffee.
I was so happy to be with Sveta again. She's the kind of person who always means it when she asks "How are you?" and always stops to listen to the answer. I met Max for the first time (he's Ukrainian but speaks pretty good english.) He's interested in philosophy and likes to play djembe, and right now he's staying with Jono.
It was great to visit and pick up a few Russian and Ukrainian phrases. Sveta and Max tried to help me a little. I still can't figure out which language I'm trying to learn :)
The conversation I had with Max really encouraged me. He was curious about why I would leave my home and friends and come to live here with the Crowes. I'm still trying to figure that question out myself. I mean, I came because I wanted to and because I believe God wants me here right now, but I don't have much of an explanation for it. I don't think I really need one.
At one point, Sveta was busy with paperwork, and Max began asking me about what my hobbies are (another question I'm never sure about...uh...journaling?) And then he asked me how long I had known the Lord, so I told him, and then asked, "What about you?" So he told me about his relationship with God and how he struggles to stay out of trouble and a bad crowd, and sometimes wonders if Jesus is the only way, etc. We talked a little about that, and then I shared how I had been struggling this morning with having faith in God.
This morning at breakfast Deb encouraged me because I've been feeling down and frustrated about how dependent I get on emotions. She encouraged me that no matter what I feel like, the truth is always the same. Jesus is the Truth. It's a matter of believing that our sins are forgiven and God accepts and loves us, even if we don't feel like it.
This morning when I was talking about this, I felt weak, like my Christianity was under par. But tonight, while I was sharing this with Max, it dawned on me that if it hadn't been for that weakness of mine, I wouldn't have been able to offer him any encouragement. I don't know what it meant to him, but I realize that it's like Paul says, I can glory in my weakness! If I were perfect all the time, I wouldn't be of much use to the kingdom, I guess! I hadn't thought of it like that before :)
So, I want to pray that Max finds some good friends who will hold him up and not tear him down, and that he would be able to make right choices.
Later on Sveta went outside to talk with some kids she knew, and I went along, straining to understand Ukrainian. After 7, nobody showed up, so we tidied up and Jono entertained us by reciting laughable poetry...I have never heard anyone actually spout off in poetry! I was stunned and inspired, and started twisting my hair and staring into space trying to remember poems I've memorized...a pitiful few. Sveta said we should have a concert.
So we left, and I came home and drank warm milk with honey, and now I'm going to moi kravat because ya khochu spat on moya padushka blahblahalakvnv;jfvalfnvenhwjkbnwgajlkgjevnl.
Goodnight.
So around 4, Jono and his underlings (Natasha, Sveta, Max, and I) went to the school and set up shop in a classroom. He didn't know how many would show up; I guess he had advertised these classes he's doing, so people could just come to sign up if they were interested. Four moms came with their daughters (I guess boys don't want to learn english). Jono tested them on their english skills while Natasha (who works for Jono) did paperwork with the parents. Sveta helped some with that, but most of the time, she and Max and I sat and visited quietly, since nobody wanted cookies, tea, or coffee.
I was so happy to be with Sveta again. She's the kind of person who always means it when she asks "How are you?" and always stops to listen to the answer. I met Max for the first time (he's Ukrainian but speaks pretty good english.) He's interested in philosophy and likes to play djembe, and right now he's staying with Jono.
It was great to visit and pick up a few Russian and Ukrainian phrases. Sveta and Max tried to help me a little. I still can't figure out which language I'm trying to learn :)
The conversation I had with Max really encouraged me. He was curious about why I would leave my home and friends and come to live here with the Crowes. I'm still trying to figure that question out myself. I mean, I came because I wanted to and because I believe God wants me here right now, but I don't have much of an explanation for it. I don't think I really need one.
At one point, Sveta was busy with paperwork, and Max began asking me about what my hobbies are (another question I'm never sure about...uh...journaling?) And then he asked me how long I had known the Lord, so I told him, and then asked, "What about you?" So he told me about his relationship with God and how he struggles to stay out of trouble and a bad crowd, and sometimes wonders if Jesus is the only way, etc. We talked a little about that, and then I shared how I had been struggling this morning with having faith in God.
This morning at breakfast Deb encouraged me because I've been feeling down and frustrated about how dependent I get on emotions. She encouraged me that no matter what I feel like, the truth is always the same. Jesus is the Truth. It's a matter of believing that our sins are forgiven and God accepts and loves us, even if we don't feel like it.
This morning when I was talking about this, I felt weak, like my Christianity was under par. But tonight, while I was sharing this with Max, it dawned on me that if it hadn't been for that weakness of mine, I wouldn't have been able to offer him any encouragement. I don't know what it meant to him, but I realize that it's like Paul says, I can glory in my weakness! If I were perfect all the time, I wouldn't be of much use to the kingdom, I guess! I hadn't thought of it like that before :)
So, I want to pray that Max finds some good friends who will hold him up and not tear him down, and that he would be able to make right choices.
Later on Sveta went outside to talk with some kids she knew, and I went along, straining to understand Ukrainian. After 7, nobody showed up, so we tidied up and Jono entertained us by reciting laughable poetry...I have never heard anyone actually spout off in poetry! I was stunned and inspired, and started twisting my hair and staring into space trying to remember poems I've memorized...a pitiful few. Sveta said we should have a concert.
So we left, and I came home and drank warm milk with honey, and now I'm going to moi kravat because ya khochu spat on moya padushka blahblahalakvnv;jfvalfnvenhwjkbnwgajlkgjevnl.
Goodnight.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
When Life Feels Unpeachy
How quickly I change...I have to be vulnerable and admit that my emotions are pretty up and down. Life is so peachy one minute and so unpeachy the next, and I usually can't fugure out why. I'm having a hard time right now, but thinking of that hymn "before the Throne of God Above" helps me lift my head...I need my confidence to come before His throne and know I'm "enough" in His eyes, because He has approved of me through Jesus' blood. So enough with the emotions. Jesus is always the same.
It's really bedtime, but I've been so ecstatic over having email right here at the house that I've been on for quite a while catching up. That Facebook. It would eat my life, if I let it. But I won't :)
Today we started a school schedule with the kids, and I think it will help all of us to have a little more structure. We're planning to have our larger meal at noon, so we'll do chores and prepare the meal in the morning, and then do schoolwork in the afternoon.
Just when I settle a little, new changes appear...I can thank God for the unpeachiness too. It's mostly just in my head. The thoughts I think, the uninterpretable dreams I have at night...
It's really bedtime, but I've been so ecstatic over having email right here at the house that I've been on for quite a while catching up. That Facebook. It would eat my life, if I let it. But I won't :)
Today we started a school schedule with the kids, and I think it will help all of us to have a little more structure. We're planning to have our larger meal at noon, so we'll do chores and prepare the meal in the morning, and then do schoolwork in the afternoon.
Just when I settle a little, new changes appear...I can thank God for the unpeachiness too. It's mostly just in my head. The thoughts I think, the uninterpretable dreams I have at night...
Kingdom Values
(Aug. 31)
Wow. I’m so…happy. What can I say. I have so much I could never deserve and wouldn’t have even quite asked for! God is always picking the oddest times to surprise me with pleasure…just plain old earthly pleasure. It freaks me out actually, and seems to inconveniently interrupt my otherwise religious life J
The past few days I’ve been keenly stricken with the beauty and actual sensual delight of life...The taste of apple pie melting in my mouth…the breathtaking beauty of the Ukrainian sky, a patriotic array of pale gold clouds mingled with ragged grey on a blue horizon and the wind whipping up the river across the valley…the refreshment of a hot shower after four weeks of cold-luke warm bucket baths…the comfort of a cuddly blanket on a cold night (yes, it was 53 F last night, and felt colder to my shocked body!)…The verbal artwork of the word “shashlik” rolling off my happy tongue…the familiar sounds of David Crowder Band gracing my ears…
These are just the physical blessings, and then there are the emotional and spiritual blessings of having friends to talk to who truly listen and understand and give back. People to connect with, sermons to hear that drive me deeper, God’s word rousing me, increasing freedom to live out of God’s approval rather than man’s…
Last night, Cheryl invited me over to her house to watch a movie and spend the night, and I was thrilled. We curled up in blankets and had pizza and watched Paycheck, and then I got a wonderful night of sleep. This morning we had some really encouraging conversation over our breakfast and coffee. I have so many new things to think about here that I’ve found myself really needing to talk it out with people. I was grateful for Cheryl’s ear and her wisdom. We listened to a sermon on her laptop and got hot showers. Her water is low right now, but it’s hot! Wow. I have never been so grateful for hot water before. That was a most blessed shower! The whole time was such an overwhelming refreshment to me!
You know, I really didn’t come to Ukraine to be comfortable. True, I really thought I would like it here, and I hoped I’d enjoy it, but typically you don’t equate anything “missions-ish” with comfort. Sometimes it’s really difficult for me to enjoy the good things in my path because I feel guilty that I have them while others don’t, or I feel that I really must not be following God if I have these material possessions, or all the money I need, or just an easy time of it. That’s not the way Jesus or Paul or the fathers of the early church lived, right? I get anxious about that. And I get anxious about how easy it is to slip into selfishness and apathy when I’m comfortable.
These challenges have been rising in my mind since I’ve been here as I’ve wondered about spending/giving, serving/reaching out, and a host of other things. Before I came I thought I was “doing pretty good” and now, I realize that Jesus still has a lot of unfinished work in my life! But whoa, He’s such Man of Fire and Power that I know He’s going to do it!
A few days ago Deb and I went to a ladies Bible study (again at Cheryl’s) where we listened to a message called “The Treasure Principle” by Randy Alcorn. It was about money and giving and it hit me right in some spots that were already sore. I had had that on my mind all week, each time I went to market, and other times. I’m still pondering that one.
Then, this morning, the message we listened to was one by Tim Keller called “The Community of Jesus” I think (Listen to it if you possibly can!) both Cheryl and I kept taking notes and she even stopped it once so we could take in the point he was making. It was a straightforward sermon focused on what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount from the passage in Luke 6, about the values of Jesus’ kingdom vs. the values of the world, and how they enable God’s children to live in community.
He said that the values of the world are power, comfort, laughter (literally, gloating over success), and recognition, while the values of God’s kingdom are the opposite: weakness, sacrifice, grief, and exclusion. Jesus says we are blessed not just for experiencing those things, but actually in the midst of those things. Tim Keller made the point that we don’t go seeking these things in a masochistic way, but, as one man said (I think named David Wilcox)
“In Jesus kingdom we prize the things the world avoids at all costs.”
He said that we don’t refuse power, comfort, success, or recognition, but we look on them with suspicion, knowing they are easily corrupted. He explained that when we enter a relationship with Jesus, we are given a radical freedom from the world’s values in order to live in Jesus’ values. Woohoo! Like Jesus when he walked this earth, the world has no hold on us.
So I thought about all the unexpected comforts I’m experiencing. When I first came here everything was strange, new, and hard, but now, I am really liking it and feeling comfortable here, even down to hanging out with people from church at the Gollan’s this past Friday night. I actually feel like I’m becoming part of things. But I’ve feared this comfort because for one thing, I didn’t come here to be safe and comfy and hide out. Jesus said to go into all the world and preach the gospel, and I guess my thought was that going was the hard part, and once I “went” I would automatically start preaching the gospel. But guess what! I’m the same small shy Piglet person I was a month ago in East Texas! Yeah, jetlag changes you, but not that much! I keep feeling guilty for enjoying myself so much.
But as I think about Jesus and dig into His word, I see this man as a Man on Fire. People surged around Him just to touch Him so they could be healed. He caused controversy and upsets and filled the crowds with awe because of God’s power in His life. I’ve so often read the gospels as if they were a message to me about how to be like Jesus; in other words, an exposition on my failures as a Christian. But now I’m seeing it as “Look at this Man! Look who Jesus is and what He did! Come stick your finger in this outlet and prepare to get zapped! Look at what He values and look at how powerful and sufficient He is. Look at the Bread from Heaven, the Spring of Living Water. Come drink from this Power Source!”
In light of who He is and what He cares about, I see these earthly comforts and blessings with different eyes. Obviously, everything has come from Him and no one else. 1 Tim. 6:17 says that “God provides us richly with everything for our enjoyment”, and Paul said that he had learned to be content with both little and much. So I do just thank God for these good things He’s given me.
I also recognize that I’m not to rely on those things. They are sweet gifts, but if they flowed into me and stopped there I would become like a pond with no outlet- stagnant. God likens His Spirit to a stream of flowing waters (John 7:38) so when good things flow into me, they should also flow through me and out of me. We comfort each other with the comfort we have received (2 Cor. 1:4) I believe that God is bringing some healing into my life after some fierce storms, and this is part of that comfort. However, I need that comfort and refreshment to overflow onto other so that God’s kingdom will be glorified.
I want to be willing to drop everything and run to Him at a moment’s notice, like an obedient child. I want to be willing to be sleepless or hungry or lonely without complaint. I’m so grateful for these blessings, but I long to be found faithful when put to the test. It’s hard to enter other people’s pain, and, as Pastor Bud talks about, “Be strong enough to care.” It’s hard when you’re comfortable to get up off the figurative or literal couch and stay alert, to be “prepared for action” and “sober in spirit,” and to deny yourself when the moment comes to give instead of receive.
It’s a challenge to live with little, and it’s also a challenge to live with much! But I’m rejoicing in my Lord who died to set men free. I want to be quick to obey, quick to risk, and quick to die, just like Him. I know in the limited experience I have in living these kingdom values that there is indeed a blessing in the painful seasons. There’s a blessing and a peculiar sweetness in the midst of weeping, in the bleak pain of loneliness, in the acceptance of our weakness and the increase of Christ’s strength. The world can’t understand it from the outside, because it’s a mystery, but we know it produces life in us.
Jesus, let Your kingdom come, let Your will be done. Let me learn to live the mystery.
Wow. I’m so…happy. What can I say. I have so much I could never deserve and wouldn’t have even quite asked for! God is always picking the oddest times to surprise me with pleasure…just plain old earthly pleasure. It freaks me out actually, and seems to inconveniently interrupt my otherwise religious life J
The past few days I’ve been keenly stricken with the beauty and actual sensual delight of life...The taste of apple pie melting in my mouth…the breathtaking beauty of the Ukrainian sky, a patriotic array of pale gold clouds mingled with ragged grey on a blue horizon and the wind whipping up the river across the valley…the refreshment of a hot shower after four weeks of cold-luke warm bucket baths…the comfort of a cuddly blanket on a cold night (yes, it was 53 F last night, and felt colder to my shocked body!)…The verbal artwork of the word “shashlik” rolling off my happy tongue…the familiar sounds of David Crowder Band gracing my ears…
These are just the physical blessings, and then there are the emotional and spiritual blessings of having friends to talk to who truly listen and understand and give back. People to connect with, sermons to hear that drive me deeper, God’s word rousing me, increasing freedom to live out of God’s approval rather than man’s…
Last night, Cheryl invited me over to her house to watch a movie and spend the night, and I was thrilled. We curled up in blankets and had pizza and watched Paycheck, and then I got a wonderful night of sleep. This morning we had some really encouraging conversation over our breakfast and coffee. I have so many new things to think about here that I’ve found myself really needing to talk it out with people. I was grateful for Cheryl’s ear and her wisdom. We listened to a sermon on her laptop and got hot showers. Her water is low right now, but it’s hot! Wow. I have never been so grateful for hot water before. That was a most blessed shower! The whole time was such an overwhelming refreshment to me!
You know, I really didn’t come to Ukraine to be comfortable. True, I really thought I would like it here, and I hoped I’d enjoy it, but typically you don’t equate anything “missions-ish” with comfort. Sometimes it’s really difficult for me to enjoy the good things in my path because I feel guilty that I have them while others don’t, or I feel that I really must not be following God if I have these material possessions, or all the money I need, or just an easy time of it. That’s not the way Jesus or Paul or the fathers of the early church lived, right? I get anxious about that. And I get anxious about how easy it is to slip into selfishness and apathy when I’m comfortable.
These challenges have been rising in my mind since I’ve been here as I’ve wondered about spending/giving, serving/reaching out, and a host of other things. Before I came I thought I was “doing pretty good” and now, I realize that Jesus still has a lot of unfinished work in my life! But whoa, He’s such Man of Fire and Power that I know He’s going to do it!
A few days ago Deb and I went to a ladies Bible study (again at Cheryl’s) where we listened to a message called “The Treasure Principle” by Randy Alcorn. It was about money and giving and it hit me right in some spots that were already sore. I had had that on my mind all week, each time I went to market, and other times. I’m still pondering that one.
Then, this morning, the message we listened to was one by Tim Keller called “The Community of Jesus” I think (Listen to it if you possibly can!) both Cheryl and I kept taking notes and she even stopped it once so we could take in the point he was making. It was a straightforward sermon focused on what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount from the passage in Luke 6, about the values of Jesus’ kingdom vs. the values of the world, and how they enable God’s children to live in community.
He said that the values of the world are power, comfort, laughter (literally, gloating over success), and recognition, while the values of God’s kingdom are the opposite: weakness, sacrifice, grief, and exclusion. Jesus says we are blessed not just for experiencing those things, but actually in the midst of those things. Tim Keller made the point that we don’t go seeking these things in a masochistic way, but, as one man said (I think named David Wilcox)
“In Jesus kingdom we prize the things the world avoids at all costs.”
He said that we don’t refuse power, comfort, success, or recognition, but we look on them with suspicion, knowing they are easily corrupted. He explained that when we enter a relationship with Jesus, we are given a radical freedom from the world’s values in order to live in Jesus’ values. Woohoo! Like Jesus when he walked this earth, the world has no hold on us.
So I thought about all the unexpected comforts I’m experiencing. When I first came here everything was strange, new, and hard, but now, I am really liking it and feeling comfortable here, even down to hanging out with people from church at the Gollan’s this past Friday night. I actually feel like I’m becoming part of things. But I’ve feared this comfort because for one thing, I didn’t come here to be safe and comfy and hide out. Jesus said to go into all the world and preach the gospel, and I guess my thought was that going was the hard part, and once I “went” I would automatically start preaching the gospel. But guess what! I’m the same small shy Piglet person I was a month ago in East Texas! Yeah, jetlag changes you, but not that much! I keep feeling guilty for enjoying myself so much.
But as I think about Jesus and dig into His word, I see this man as a Man on Fire. People surged around Him just to touch Him so they could be healed. He caused controversy and upsets and filled the crowds with awe because of God’s power in His life. I’ve so often read the gospels as if they were a message to me about how to be like Jesus; in other words, an exposition on my failures as a Christian. But now I’m seeing it as “Look at this Man! Look who Jesus is and what He did! Come stick your finger in this outlet and prepare to get zapped! Look at what He values and look at how powerful and sufficient He is. Look at the Bread from Heaven, the Spring of Living Water. Come drink from this Power Source!”
In light of who He is and what He cares about, I see these earthly comforts and blessings with different eyes. Obviously, everything has come from Him and no one else. 1 Tim. 6:17 says that “God provides us richly with everything for our enjoyment”, and Paul said that he had learned to be content with both little and much. So I do just thank God for these good things He’s given me.
I also recognize that I’m not to rely on those things. They are sweet gifts, but if they flowed into me and stopped there I would become like a pond with no outlet- stagnant. God likens His Spirit to a stream of flowing waters (John 7:38) so when good things flow into me, they should also flow through me and out of me. We comfort each other with the comfort we have received (2 Cor. 1:4) I believe that God is bringing some healing into my life after some fierce storms, and this is part of that comfort. However, I need that comfort and refreshment to overflow onto other so that God’s kingdom will be glorified.
I want to be willing to drop everything and run to Him at a moment’s notice, like an obedient child. I want to be willing to be sleepless or hungry or lonely without complaint. I’m so grateful for these blessings, but I long to be found faithful when put to the test. It’s hard to enter other people’s pain, and, as Pastor Bud talks about, “Be strong enough to care.” It’s hard when you’re comfortable to get up off the figurative or literal couch and stay alert, to be “prepared for action” and “sober in spirit,” and to deny yourself when the moment comes to give instead of receive.
It’s a challenge to live with little, and it’s also a challenge to live with much! But I’m rejoicing in my Lord who died to set men free. I want to be quick to obey, quick to risk, and quick to die, just like Him. I know in the limited experience I have in living these kingdom values that there is indeed a blessing in the painful seasons. There’s a blessing and a peculiar sweetness in the midst of weeping, in the bleak pain of loneliness, in the acceptance of our weakness and the increase of Christ’s strength. The world can’t understand it from the outside, because it’s a mystery, but we know it produces life in us.
Jesus, let Your kingdom come, let Your will be done. Let me learn to live the mystery.
A Few of My Favorite Things
(Aug 30)
I can’t believe August is almost over! At the same time, it’s hard to believe it’s August with the chilly weather today. It’s been rainy and overcast off and on, with gusty wind and chilly temperatures. Maybe in the 50’s? I can’t tell. I’m resisting putting on a sweater…I have to get used to this, right?
It’s becoming more and more keenly evident that we don’t have gas or hot water :) Not that we would turn the gas on right now, but this just reminds us of what’s to come. Hey, we have a tea kettle and all the tea we want, so who’s complaining?
Today we had such a nice time visiting with the Micah and Christy Claycamp, who came over to visit with their four young kids. Three more boys and a girl to add to the mix! They kept each other happy the whole time pretty much.
We ventured to make apple pie with the fresh apples from the trees in the yard and oh man…it was amazing! There’s something so satisfying about making a pie. I don’t think I’ll ever be too homesick as long as there is pie to be made. With limited dishes right now, I’m learning to be creative. I used a Pringles can for a rolling pin a few days ago, (yeah, can you believe there are Pringles right here in little Rzhishchiv?) and today searched around and found the stainless steel camping thermos Mrs. Burklin gave me in a traveling kit she made for my graduation gift. Being long and smooth, it worked quite well for a rolling pin, and the crust didn’t stick! Thanks Mrs. Burklin! :)
So the Claycamps came about ten and we made lunch and sat down and ate it, then enjoyed pie and ice cream and tea for quite a while…it was just a nice leisurely visit and I enjoyed getting the know some more people from the area.
When they left and Deb and I were cleaning up, I commented, “People are always asking me what I like to do and I don’t know how to answer them. Well, this is what I like to do.”
“What? The dishes?” she asked with a grin.
“NO!” I returned. (We have an ongoing joke that doing dishes is my “default” and that that’s what I do when I can’t think of anything else). “No, not dishes. Having people over and fellowshipping and having good things to eat together.” I realized with pleasure that it reminds me of so many Sunday afternoons at home having people in our house for a meal and sharing with them. I’m amazed at how my family life has, in many ways, prepared me for being here. Something I treasured so much at home is being carried out right here in Ukraine, just with the Crowe’s family instead of mine. So I can hardly even feel homesick!
I can’t believe August is almost over! At the same time, it’s hard to believe it’s August with the chilly weather today. It’s been rainy and overcast off and on, with gusty wind and chilly temperatures. Maybe in the 50’s? I can’t tell. I’m resisting putting on a sweater…I have to get used to this, right?
It’s becoming more and more keenly evident that we don’t have gas or hot water :) Not that we would turn the gas on right now, but this just reminds us of what’s to come. Hey, we have a tea kettle and all the tea we want, so who’s complaining?
Today we had such a nice time visiting with the Micah and Christy Claycamp, who came over to visit with their four young kids. Three more boys and a girl to add to the mix! They kept each other happy the whole time pretty much.
We ventured to make apple pie with the fresh apples from the trees in the yard and oh man…it was amazing! There’s something so satisfying about making a pie. I don’t think I’ll ever be too homesick as long as there is pie to be made. With limited dishes right now, I’m learning to be creative. I used a Pringles can for a rolling pin a few days ago, (yeah, can you believe there are Pringles right here in little Rzhishchiv?) and today searched around and found the stainless steel camping thermos Mrs. Burklin gave me in a traveling kit she made for my graduation gift. Being long and smooth, it worked quite well for a rolling pin, and the crust didn’t stick! Thanks Mrs. Burklin! :)
So the Claycamps came about ten and we made lunch and sat down and ate it, then enjoyed pie and ice cream and tea for quite a while…it was just a nice leisurely visit and I enjoyed getting the know some more people from the area.
When they left and Deb and I were cleaning up, I commented, “People are always asking me what I like to do and I don’t know how to answer them. Well, this is what I like to do.”
“What? The dishes?” she asked with a grin.
“NO!” I returned. (We have an ongoing joke that doing dishes is my “default” and that that’s what I do when I can’t think of anything else). “No, not dishes. Having people over and fellowshipping and having good things to eat together.” I realized with pleasure that it reminds me of so many Sunday afternoons at home having people in our house for a meal and sharing with them. I’m amazed at how my family life has, in many ways, prepared me for being here. Something I treasured so much at home is being carried out right here in Ukraine, just with the Crowe’s family instead of mine. So I can hardly even feel homesick!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Meeting the Neighbor Girl (Yay!)
Hey, I'm so excited! I just got to meet the neighbor girl, Ira. She's 20, and going to college in Kiev, but she's home on weekends and speaks Russian, Ukrainian, and some English. Bruce met the family when they were out gardening a few days ago and said they had a daughter and that I shoudl meet her. I wanted to, but I felt anxious because i wondered how in the world it would happen. Was I jsut supposed to go knock on the door or what?
Well, I've been praying about it. And just a bit ago, when I was walking here to the Gollans to use internet, I noticed that the mom was raking in the yard. I thought "Maybe I shoudl just walk by that way, just in case we start talking..." but I was REALLY wanting to get on the internet, and was taking the short cut to save time. But I kept feeling that nudging. I thought "Ah, I'm probably just making that up." But finally I thought, "Ok God, I don't know if it's You or not, and but I'll give up my way just in case." It was a little and a big thing at the same time.
Well, I walked over there, and just then both the dad and mom walked up to me and tried to talk with me! We couldn't communicate too well, but they were really friendly. And then the dad said "Let me go get my daughter, she speaks English" or something like that. I don't think they even knew whether I was speaking English or not.
So out came Ira! Score!!! God is so amazing that way! We didn't talk long, and she said she understands quite a bit of English but can't speak it very well. I told her I was hoping to learn Russian, so maybe we could meet again and help each other. I told her she could come over and we could talk...and then she said I was welcome to come over some time too.
We parted ways, and tears jumped to my eyes. All day I've been so weak and not feeling that well (Ukrainian bacteria is finally catching up with my innards), and I've been draggy and not that great of a human being, but God answered my prayer anyway and gave me a very open door.
Now I just need courage to go knock on Ira's door. Maybe I can take her some cookies.
For Deb's birthday we made a raisin chocolate oatmeal cookie cake...it was crazy because I used a modified snickerdoodle recipe, that being the only cookie recipe available. They say not to tamper with baking recipes, but there was no choice in the matter...and the experiment worked! So there was something to put the candles in :)
I'm praising God for His faithfulness and praying for strength to keep following Him.
Well, I've been praying about it. And just a bit ago, when I was walking here to the Gollans to use internet, I noticed that the mom was raking in the yard. I thought "Maybe I shoudl just walk by that way, just in case we start talking..." but I was REALLY wanting to get on the internet, and was taking the short cut to save time. But I kept feeling that nudging. I thought "Ah, I'm probably just making that up." But finally I thought, "Ok God, I don't know if it's You or not, and but I'll give up my way just in case." It was a little and a big thing at the same time.
Well, I walked over there, and just then both the dad and mom walked up to me and tried to talk with me! We couldn't communicate too well, but they were really friendly. And then the dad said "Let me go get my daughter, she speaks English" or something like that. I don't think they even knew whether I was speaking English or not.
So out came Ira! Score!!! God is so amazing that way! We didn't talk long, and she said she understands quite a bit of English but can't speak it very well. I told her I was hoping to learn Russian, so maybe we could meet again and help each other. I told her she could come over and we could talk...and then she said I was welcome to come over some time too.
We parted ways, and tears jumped to my eyes. All day I've been so weak and not feeling that well (Ukrainian bacteria is finally catching up with my innards), and I've been draggy and not that great of a human being, but God answered my prayer anyway and gave me a very open door.
Now I just need courage to go knock on Ira's door. Maybe I can take her some cookies.
For Deb's birthday we made a raisin chocolate oatmeal cookie cake...it was crazy because I used a modified snickerdoodle recipe, that being the only cookie recipe available. They say not to tamper with baking recipes, but there was no choice in the matter...and the experiment worked! So there was something to put the candles in :)
I'm praising God for His faithfulness and praying for strength to keep following Him.
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