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!

Green!

Green plants!

I Finally Found Where Spring Has Been Hiding Out!

Don't get me wrong, I love the seasons, especially winter. The ice and -10 C freezing cold temperature is very fun.....but......at a certain point, you just want it to be spring and to be warm again. For whatever reasons, this past winter seemed to go. on. forever.

It is winter no longer. I am safely back home in California after one of my most eventful trips home complete with a sprained back (that happened at Borispol) and an adventure with immigration officials which fortunately had a happy ending! Thanks to all those who were praying for me!

Despite the stressful trip, I had to hit the ground running when I found out that my grandma had a stroke the day I arrived. I barely comprehended that, watched a couple of Dodger games, ate a few avocados and then I was off to a conference last weekend. Today I finally was able to unpack my bags and start to get organized.

I found out that spring has been hiding out in our backyard so I will be sharing some photos over the next few days!