Blog Update!

I'm updating the look of my blog!  Easy to read?  Colors okay?   Let me know what you think by leaving a comment!  Thanks!

Craving Borscht!

I had planned on keeping this blog updated at least once a week and as you can see that has not happened.  I think sometimes it's better to choose spending time with people instead of worrying about blog posts!

I have been spending extra time with my family as well as visiting churches/small groups and working in seeing friends.  Everything is a bit slower this year as I am borrowing a car so have to coordinate my schedule a bit, but it is all happening!

I am hoping things can slow down a bit this week as I need to rest as well.  Now that I've had my fill of Mexican food I am starting to crave......borscht!  Yes!  Borscht!  I bought some veggies at my local super market and lamented on the looks of the produce.  I am seriously missing my market in Ukraine big time!

I have been talking with lots of people stateside about orphan/at risk children care and have some thoughts I will share with you later this week.  Tomorrow I will be participating in a photography project called, "A Day."  The goal is for photographers to take photographs during their day and share them with others at the website.  You can get more information if you want to participate by visiting their website by clicking, HERE.

Look Ma! My First Slide Show!

Stay The Course

In Kyiv, when missionaries share with each other that they are heading stateside, there is usually an "Oh, uh huh," reaction and a sympathetic groan or look shared. Heading stateside usually means a lot of mixed emotions and psychological processing to go through. Processing emotions and experiences of what has happened in the country where you are living can be draining. Dealing with your family and even friends that you have not seen in a while and who do not understand the details of your life and the culture you are living in abroad can also be exhausting. For people who have never lived overseas, they sometimes cannot relate to your life well. Sometimes you feel like you have to defend your choices in life and what God is leading you to do with it.

I am especially blessed because I have the support of a wonderful church family, friends and my own parents. Since I keep up with people on facebook, in emails, on my blog and other social media, most people seem to know what is going on in my life and I can have better relational conversations with people and have the time to ask them what is happening in THEIR lives. I get bored talking about myself all the time!

One of the positive things I've realized as I process my life overseas is realizing that for all the difficulties and confusion, it is worth it.

Staying the course that God has set for you is not always easy and there will be obstacles, but I am learning that working through them is better than getting frustrated and walking away. It's part of the maturing process and means that as I grow, I will be able to help others to grow as well.

I have been a little overwhelmed with all the positivity in my life during some really hard life transitions. I am thankful that during this season of my life, I don't have to question what or why I am doing what I am doing. I just have to have faith in the one who is leading me on this journey in life.

California 2012

It's good to be in my native land but life sure runs at a different pace here! Updates coming soon! I'll be intermittently posting photos.

Happy Easter!

Flowers from my Uncle! Happy Easter!

Spring And Sun

More spring photos with sun!