I think this is a good one to read, people.

Highlights in this Post:

•   Transition from good-byes to hellos
•    I’m goin’ back and takin’ some with me
•    Please consider continuing your support
•    Surprise at the end… (Wait! Don’t scroll down. Ha.) 

Please read my wordy letter and contact me if you have questions! :)

Here I am in the Munich airport. I was here once before—August of last year, before ever stepping foot on Ukrainian uneven ground. What a year it’s been! This last week was full of good-byes. This year, several families that were “old-timers” left to move on to wherever God was calling them next. Yesterday I told someone that I was so glad I came this year to get a chance to know all these people! Even though good-byes are painful, the relationships are so worth it.

You can be praying for me these weeks ahead. I will be busy soaking up some time with my family and friends and planning and living out this summer at Camp Cherith. I have several lists to get through, but I mostly want to cherish spending time with people. This is an interesting transition for me; throw in some culture shock and jet lag, and I might just be an emotional basket case. Please pray that I can continue to rely on the Holy Spirit for my soul restoration!

I will be one of the “newbies” returning to KCA in the fall (I hope you don’t take offense to that, Kara and Caleb… hehe). Ironically, I will be a veteran welcoming several new teachers and families to the international Kiev community. I am super happy to welcome my good friends Bill and Kendra Mohn and their kids Josiah and Katya.

Will you consider continuing your prayerful support of our ministry with missionary and other international families in Kiev, Ukraine? As I was sitting here, munching on some mixed nuts, I scribbled out a list of my needs for the next year. They will be much the same as they have been this year, and I will be taking some grad courses that the school will be helping me to pay for. This year, the community in Kiev blessed me richly. I look forward to giving another year to serve in Ukraine!

Oh, I forgot to mention I get to teach art next year! I will be teaching all the same classes plus adding the middle school and high school art electives. So, I’ll be busy… but oh so thrilled! :)

Winding Down

It’s been a while since I’ve written. The year is winding down fast. Three weeks left of school! In the last week, Kiev has been transformed from the grey, wet, sullen city to a bright, blooming, and cheerful neighborhood. This lovely change in weather has given me the opportunity to take several long walks through some new parts of town.

This week we welcomed some visitors from ACSI (The Association of Christian Schools International) who are here for our reaccreditation. KCA is an awesome school, supportive like a family with the students, parents, and staff… I am so blessed to be here. (After being a student at North Heights Christian Academy, I remember thinking that there’s probably not any other good Christian schools out there in the world… then I went to Concordia, then Northwestern, then I worked at Hand In Hand, now Kiev Christian Academy! I love that God is present and working all over in Christian education!)

Lately my Bible classes are engaging in some deep discussions. I learn so much as I discuss with my kids! The eighth grade class is contemplating the balance of God’s characteristics in a unit called “Contradictory or Complementary?” We talked about God’s love and hate and realized He actually hates because he loves! We completely filled the board with things that are happening in the world today that God hates – things that put the things and people that He loves in danger. Tomorrow I’ll collect journal entries from the students that will reflect on their response to what God hates and loves. It is not our responsibility to take on all the problems on that whiteboard. No, that was Jesus – in fact, God’s wrath has already been spent for all of it – Jesus took it! What grace! But I believe He gave each of us a specific skill set so that we can stand for the things God loves and fight the things He hates. What is he calling you to stand for?

I will be coming home to Minnesota for the summer. I return on May 29^th. North Central Camp Cherith will yet again serve as my “summer home” … this will be my ninth summer on staff! I hope that I’ll get a chance to visit with all you at home who have been praying for and supporting me! Please continue to pray for me as I prepare for these final weeks of school, exams, and my transition to a summer back in America. I would also like to ask you to pray for camp as we are preparing for the summer, we will have a full batch of campers coming through, and I’m believing that God will speak truth and love to them during their time at Camp Cherith!

Thanks!

I don't actually have any news. I don't have any amazing stories. But I still wanted to write to all of you. I am so thankful for you, my people! God shows me how much he loves me through you! I am pretty much blown away by the fact that you even still remember me and are thinking about me, praying for me, and supporting me! So, I just want to say THANK YOU for letting God use you. It means so much to me. 

Now, I think I've already said this; but since people keep asking me, I better make sure the information is public: I am planning on coming back to teach in Ukraine another year. It's so exciting to be a part of what God is doing here and to know that I'm being used by him in this process--how could I walk away now? :) 

Lord willing, I'll be home in June for the summer... I can't wait to meet up with you if you're around! 

May the Lord bless you with His everlasting love, peace beyond understanding, and grace that none of us deserve!

Out of the Cold

Well, if it seems like I haven't written in a while, it's probably because my fingers have been exclusively tucked into pockets or mittens to keep them from frostbite. Okay, I'm exaggerating a little; but the last month and a half has been bitterly cold. The power has gone out in our flat several times, which scares us because our heat is electric -- the outages never lasted long. Really, I'm part of the portion of this country that is very blessed to live in a place with new windows and good insulation. In Europe about 200 people have died because of the cold blast; 135 of those deaths were in Ukraine. I've heard of several ministries collecting blankets and trying to support the homeless during this low point of the winter. I feel it's appropriate to pray for some warmer weather! On a brighter note, we noticed that at 10 past 5 o'clock last night there was still some dim light coming from the sky! I love when you know the days are only getting longer. 

Yet again, I can honestly say that time is flying! The last few weeks were busy and a blur. I've had some interesting experiences. A few weeks ago, a couple of my students invited me to visit an orphanage with them. We went for an afternoon just to hang out with the kids and give them a healthy snack. It was a blast; the children are so brave and lovable! I hope to go back there next time they go in a few weeks. Also, I stayed for a week with a family of three students of KCA while their parents were in America. I got to play mother, although they have a cook and a homework helper that come a few days a week. :) 

Staying busy has helped me not focus on myself, which is good. The weeks after returning from Christmas break were a little rough. I think I was finally experiencing some culture shock and some spiritual/emotional trauma in the dark of winter. I'm going to insert a prayer from my journal that I wrote last week: 

Church was really good today. I felt so encouraged; thank you, Lord! I know that was you. You know that I've been doubting and kind of down the last monthish. Today I was reminded in a real way of your faithfulness. YOUR LOVE NEVER FAILS. You blood is proof. And the grace I've EXPERIENCED in my life is pretty much the most tangible thing I could get in this world. Your HOLY SPIRIT is the seal on my heart... And even if I don't feel it today or this week -- I CHOOSE TO TRUST YOU. I am putting up a mental ROCK to mark this place... and I will call it... When I am faithless, still you are FAITHFUL! (So, that was last week, a turning point, I think. If you have any questions about my prayer I jotted out, let me know!) 

The little small group that I'm in is a continuous joy! We finished our Esther study and are hoping to start Beth Moore's study of James soon! James is a practical book with lessons on how to live out this life in our real world. I'm looking forward to learning from Beth's unique perspective! :) She's so cool! 

Today is Valentine's Day and the first day of Teacher Appreciation Week. Man, I feel appreciated. Today I was rewarded with a pile of sweets, cards and some artwork from my students! The Korean moms provided an over-the-top Korean lunch. There were even tablecloths and candles. Giant electric woks were loaded with stir fry and noodles and there was kimbab galore (Korean sushi). Wow, life as a teacher turns out to be not bad! :) 

Well, thank you so much, my dear friends; thanks for caring about my little life over here. Feel free to send an email or Facebook message my way! Much love and I miss you all!

Well, here I am in Hamar, Norway. It's my last day here, I can't really imagine a more wholistically beautiful Christmas holiday -- well, I just wish my family could have been with me, but I know that they also had a great Christmas in Minnesota... I can't quite wrap my head around how the end of the first semester at KCA came so fast. I gave four final exams that last week before Christmas. I was pretty determined to get a realistic assessment of the students' knowledge and application of what we learned this fall. I think it worked, and yet I'm still wishing I didn't have to give any grades for the Bible classes at all! :) (I think we do a good job of encouraging the students at KCA, but I still feel a tension between the academic achievement and spiritual formation of the students.)


Anyway, that last stretch, the students worked really hard. I think they inspired me to work hard too. I was able to wrap up most of the grading before I left for Norway on the 22nd. When I arrived in Oslo that night I was swept off my feet by the lit stars in the windows of each house, the aroma of burning candles on every available ledge, and the familiar sound of snow crunching under boots. The word that my Norwegian friends claim is used in about every other sentence is "koselig" -- it means something like "cozy," but they use it kind of like how we use "cool." Although it is much over-used, I think it might be the best way to describe this Christmas. Everyday of Christmas here (not just two days either -- there's "tiny xmas eve," little xmas eve," "xmas eve," "1st day of xmas," "2nd day of xmas," "3rd day of xmas," then two days to prep for new year's eve!) was filled with festivities with family, friends, and cake! There was even some singing around the Christmas tree!


This visit was a wonderful Christmas gift from my dear friend and DTS buddy, Jenny Korsnes. (DTS is Discipleship Training School with Youth With a Mission.) We both reminisced our parting at the end of DTS. I was afraid I might never see her, or my other global friends, again. I have been so blessed to spend these two weeks with her and her family! We have had many good talks with each other and with God.


Tomorrow I return to Kiev. I feel like if I'll ever experience culture shock, this might be the time. I'll be traveling from one of the richest nations in the world to one of the poorest. And, although winter days in Norway are short, the days here have been filled with light; Ukraine has an aura that is not as light... But, have no fear! I am not worried about this transition. In Kiev, I find myself in such supportive communities at school and at home with the Leary family.


Next week we commence Semester 2 at KCA. I would so much appreciate your prayers for me and my young friends as we embark on another chapter during such important times in their lives. I am so fully aware that the experiences that we have together are shaping our lives... I would love to hear about what experiences you are having that are shaping your lives! (Drop me an email or FB message!) It's a new year friends! A fresh start. With God's unending love and grace we can live confidently without regrets! Peace.

I Guess I'm Making Up for Lost Time

I'm in 10D, an isle seat, flying away from the Promised Land and toward the land of warm bread and cold winters. This week in Israel was precious, but I'll tell more about that later. I'm trying to think back to the last month...

Several weeks ago I was able to share some of my story in the middle school/high school chapel. Of course, I didn't end up preparing much, but once I get going -- wow -- I get so excited telling about the amazing joy and peace that only Jesus could give during scary times. The students responded with joy that matched my own as I told them how God has taken me through the last few years.

You know, earlier this year I was trying to impart to my kids the importance of enjoying the study of the Bible and not allowing it to become rote homework. One way that God has answered my prayers about this came the day that two of my talented 8th graders walked into class with a guitar and a hand drum and asked if we could have a little worship time before the lecture! I told them I would love it. That day they led the group in an impromptu worship service and they've been preparing a time like this once a week for our class. It is so encouraging to see the students taking initiative like this!

(Okay, just FYI, I'm not in the plane anymore. Now I've been home for a couple days. Just wanted to be completely honest with you! haha)

One of the things I've missed most about home is my small group (Bible study group from Mercy Vineyard). I have been so busy here with school and it's dark by the time I leave, so usually I just go straight home and curl up in my room... :) Anyway, a few weeks ago some of my friends at school invited me to do a Beth Moore study with them. So the highlight of the week now is meeting together and diving into the book of Esther. I love love love the opportunity to participate in a study like this and make time in the week to sit down and talk about God and to God with my friends. One of the moms from the school has actually been hosting this group and having us for supper each week -- what a blessing!

Another way that God has provided for me this month is U.S. Bank refunding all the money that some crooks stole from my bank account. I believe it was an ATM hacking incident. Anyway, I only panicked a little... :) But, I was soon reminded that it's all God's money anyway... and luckily he chose to restore it me! :)

Okay... the moment we've all been waiting for... my trip to Isreal! A brief synopsis:

A while ago, Ukraine changed their visa laws and basically voided all existing visas and required every foreigner to leave the country and obtain a new visa. I decided I would go to Israel to visit our dear family friends the Westlunds. Some time after buying the tickets we found out that Ukraine wasn't requiring Religious visas to be renewed -- this is what I have (in fact, I'm one of the few people I know here who actually has a Religious visa) -- another blessing! So, I ended up just going for the visit!

Day 1 - Went to the Old City with David, originally to run some errands and maybe catch a free tour. We ended up scrapping our original plans! :) Ran into some really random awesome people and did some exploring around the city.

Day 2 - I was going to venture into the city on my own, by the time I got out of the house the clouds looked ominous but I didn't really pay heed. By the time I got off the tram and was walking toward Jaffa Gate, it was pouring and my shoes were squishing. But, the people there were happy because rain is valuable, so I decided to make the best of it. After wandering around for a while I found some Aroma Coffee!

Day 3 - Joined a free tour in the Old City. Had a great tour guide Dvir who took us around to all four quarters and made sure we tried some falafel. I did some shopping and wandered the streets.

Day 4 - I went to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial museum. It was incredible; so moving and really beautifully designed and curated. When I finished at the museum, I met up with Anneli, who had just gotten in from Tanzania; we quickly jumped on a bus to Tiberius. 

Day 5 (Thanksgiving) - Went to Capernaum, saw first century ruins, and ate "St. Peter's Fish" on the shore of the Sea of Galilee! The lake was gorgeous and so surreal! (See the pic below) It felt like I was in Narnia looking at the edge of the earth or something! Later that night Anneli and I found some gourmet pecan pie in Tiberius to complete our Thanksgiving Day. I have so much to be thankful for!

Day 6 - Caught an early bus that followed the Jordan River down to the Dead Sea! We ended up at Mineral Beach and got the whole spa package... mud and all! Ahh, so refreshing! It was a beautiful day and the water was perfect! We got out of there just in time to catch a bus back to Jerusalem (Sabbath starts at sundown). Went to bed early because I left the house at 4am for the airport! :)

I know, you thought I was done, but no! When I got back to Kiev, my friend David from my DTS with YWAM was here visiting! So, the last few days have been full full full even including some sight-seeing here in Kiev. 

Now, I'm back into the full swing of things at school and each day is going faster as we get closer to the end of the semester! Only a few weeks left! 

Thank you, all for the prayers and support! I value all of you, dear friends and family! I praise God every time I remember you! :)

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A List

For the last two weeks I've been trying to write something... every time I sat down nothing happened. Earlier this week I realized I was just tired and "out of words!" I have only written in my journal about 3 times in the last few weeks -- normally I write almost everyday. But, on Wednesday I sat down, stared at my computer screen for a while, then finally decided to try my journal. Finally the Lord gave me some words to write. These are the things I am thankful for this week:

Last weekend was our middle and high school fall retreat; I am so thankful for the blessing of worship. God reminded me that it is our duty and our choice to give him glory, but in doing that we are richly blessed.

I am thankful that God is in control of situations that are outside of our own control. Every week I hear many prayer requests that the kids bring up of family or friends in America. God knows.

I am thankful that God has my own family in his hands and he has good plans for each member.

God always provides. I am astounded and so thankful for the amazing generosity of my friends and family back home. My support has been coming in steadily. I always am realizing, Why do I ever worry about anything? "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 6:31-34

Some of my students have made comments recently about their Bible reading assignments. A few of them are really excited because as they read the gospels they are making connections between them and starting to see certain things that God is highlighting for them again and again! I am thankful for the hunger for knowing and understanding the Word that God is giving these students!

I am thankful for the creativity that God continues to give me as I try to plan my classes. Thankfully, I can still trust that God is a part of the planning process even when I'm tired!

I am thankful for all of the new friends that I'm making here, especially my coworkers at KCA. Some of which are Masha, Amy, Jessica, Barb, Nadia...

I am thankful that God is also in control of my own health issues. He has helped me find most of my prescriptions that are quite affordable and accessible here. Also, I was able to visit a doctor at the American Medical Clinic to help me find some of the not so accessible meds.

He never fails. He is with us wherever we are... He loves us and knows us better than anyone else in the world. We will never understand. Yay! I am thankful for his TRUTH that he is communicating to us all the time!

{I'll add some pictures here since they are, well... worth a thousand words!}

My first train ride... to a conference in the Carpathian Mountains. This is one of my 10th grade students Alison.

On this trip we took an hour-long ski lift up a mountain (and later, back down).

This is a student from my 7th grade class, Natalie.

A view from the top.

At fall retreat... This is one exhausted 6th grader - Chae Hee.

One of the games I led was a 13-leg race. Yes, I got to tie them up!

Student-led worship! It was awesome.

Also, about a month ago, the art teacher at the school took me art supply shopping! This is my first painting in Kiev!