Beautiful Feet

"And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" Romans 10:15

New Center?

Our dream is to buy a Center where at risk mothers and babies can live while we help them learn life skills. We would then be able to help the moms we are currently working with in an even greater way. Also, having a Center that is owned by our organization would give us much more stability in our work. We currently rent spaces from the government and as we saw with our previous Rehabilitation Center for children, they can very quickly take back the building, leaving us looking again for a new place to house our ministry. This is a very frustrating and redundant cycle.

Please pray that we would be able to put together enough funds to buy a three room apartment in this building.

One Huge Cabbage

This week my friend gave me some cucumbers and one tremendously large cabbage from her dacha garden. I decided to work on eating the cucumbers before they went bad, but there was no way I could eat them AND the cabbage! I hate to waste food and I love a bargain so I checked the internet for an Ukrainian cabbage salad recipe. Cabbage salad is very popular here and very nutritious and tasty!

I found a recipe HERE, complete with a lovely video that explains in detail how to make it.

I was able to make two liters of cabbage salad which is currently fermenting in my kitchen. I'll be able to eat this in the winter. I also have a healthy hunk of fresh cabbage left in my refrigerator which I will cook this weekend.

Fall

Fall has arrived in Kyiv and while we still are experiencing beautiful sunny days, there is a tinge of coldness in the air and the leaves are starting to turn colors. Fall means it's time to prepare for winter so on street corners you see huge bags of onions and potatoes that people buy to get them through the winter as food prices go up considerably in the cold months. Some turn to canning and preserving although younger people seem not to do it as much as it is a lot of work and time.

I saw this couple in the market on my way to the Day Center and I had to take a photo. I love seeing old couples out walking together. It's rare sight.

That Day

For some reason, I have not been looking forward to the anniversary of, "that day." You know the day I'm talking about. The day that reason and insanity seemed to have fled the earth and left nothing but chaos and insensibility in its wake.

For some reason, in my mind, the ten year anniversary of "that day" should definitely be remembered but unfortunately the build up in the media makes it look more like a political and religious circus act and seems to hint that as a country, we are still reeling with grief and confusion.

So I am staying away from all media and reminiscing commentary of "that day."

I am spending this weekend praying and thinking about the survivors and those who lost loved ones. My heart is with you.

I am going to be thinking about my country. My heart is also with you.

I have also been spending some time processing and thinking about how my life has changed since 9/11 and how that is affecting my future.

I have already been blessed by this decision and I encourage you to take some quiet time for reflection as well. We all need to think more about how we can encourage and take active, healthy leadership in our world today.

First Bell Party

Our Young Family Club decided to celebrate September first, (the first day of school) with a party. We all brought homemade high sugared content food to enjoy. Can you say, "Too much sugar?"

This cake was AMAZING.

I donated some chocolate chip cookies made with M&M's since chocolate chips are not a concept nor sold here in stores.

This is a GREAT grandma with her little great grand daugther!

Afterwards the closet provided a high level of entertainment possibilities.

Good bye!

September 1

September 1st is a big deal in Ukraine. It's the first day of school.

Fashions change a little over the years, but big white bows in the hair of first graders is still a popular choice.

The future of Ukraine!