Saturday, January 6, 2018

Traditions

Day 8:

One thing I love in Ukraine is that I get be a godmother. Today was some holiday where the kids bring their godparents a specific food. It is so fun having these sweet traditions and loving life with them. Although, it definitely makes me miss my nieces and nephews.. But I'm thankful I get this time here in Ukraine and will treasure it.

Friday, January 5, 2018

Fishing

Day 7:

Today we cleaned the new house a bit, used the washing machine Anika's Grandma bought us, and Sash and I went fishing. It was a good day. 

Sash and I got stuck in the mud when we went fishing. Our car slid and then he had to use his magic to get it out. It reminded me of how easy it is to get stuck in our thinking or instantly go to the negative. But after a bit of work we were free. The same can happen with our attitude and our thinking. If we work on changing it, after a bit we will be unstuck. 







Thursday, January 4, 2018

Being Content

Day 6:

It is so funny how fickle we can be.. Or really, it is super annoying. Okay, I am about to show you some serious ugly.  I have only been in Ukraine for less than a week. I have waited and waited for Sasha and I to be together and now that we are, I should be jumping for joy, right? That is what any decent person would be doing. But you want to know what I find myself doing?? Internally complaining about the things I don't have now, or how hard life is, and I could go on, but no one likes a whiner. I realized I have the worst attitude. I want a toilet, a shower, a closet, my family to be closer, my job back, and I even miss Grocery Outlet. I was standing in our new house today (still totally under construction) and caught myself finding the things I wish were different or better. I literally wanted to slap myself. Sasha has worked endlessly to build this house and here I am just picking it apart in my head. It was then I realized that I was being such a cry baby. Yes, life took a crazy turn and has not turned out like I thought it would. I thought I would get to wear the pretty white dress I bought, have my dad walk me down the aisle, and party till the sun came up with my family and friends. I thought I would get to keep my job and have a steady income with benefits and retirement. I thought I would get to live in house and have my dog. That is not the plans God had though, at least not now. But I want to stop being the person that is filled with dread and fear and start being the person that comes to life because it is a new adventure. I know that nothing is forever and one day I will probably be back in America and wish for the life here in the village. I mean, I get to be that person that will have my kids rolling their eyes because I walked uphill in the snow around the bend just to find the outhouse. Today I read, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Philippians 4:12 and realized this is my goal. I want to be the person that is content, truly content in any and every situation. My aunt gave me a sign that I just hung on the wall today that says, "Faith in God includes faith in His timing." If I am going to say I have faith in God then I best be living it out. And let me tell you, I have done a very crappy job since I got here. Anyone who knows me, knows I am far from perfect, but I am sure gonna try to choose joy more and be content.  Now, let me be honest, I am sure I am still going to whine a little about walking to the outhouse in the snow or the potholes in the road that add an extra hour to our trip to the store, but I really am going to try and enjoy the journey as my mom would say. 


Such a good reminder

It snowed today and I was reminded just how beautiful our home is.

Dreaming of all the things we will do

I am a lucky girl



Wednesday, January 3, 2018

New Adventures

I have officially moved back to Ukraine for well... an unknown time. We are waiting on the government to hopefully grant Sasha a visa so we can live in America. I am going to try and post at least one picture everyday of life here. I am already behind on blogging (not a big shock I know). I will post days 1-5 and then try to be good at doing one everyday.




And we are off...
                                   

Finally together

So excited for Sasha's potatoes. I missed them in my life

McDonald's coffee is a must before the 7 hour drive home. 

Visiting Tolik and Vika before they get moved to an orphanage in Sumy.


<3