A Report on Income, Church, and My Birthday

I have been in Ukraine for a month now! Time flies when you are busy! :) 

School has been going well. In fact, the administration is apparently so confident in my juggling abilities that they asked if I could take another class from a teacher who is overloaded. It will probably be for just a few weeks until the teacher who is supposed to be teaching it comes back from America. You could pray that her family gets the support that they need!

Here's a huge answer to prayer -- I got a tutoring job that actually pays real money! :) A Korean father in the school asked me to help his 2nd grade daughter with English acquisition and homework. He also wanted me to help him with his English! So, I meet with this dad for an hour and his daughter for an hour and a half four days a week! So that's a 10 hr/week job -- at least for now, we might scale back soon if she's doing well. 

The coolest part about meeting with this little girl is that I've had some awesome God-conversations with her! I got to tell her the Creation story the first day we met and she had never heard it before! And, last week, I just briefly mentioned that we should go over her memory verse (Rom. 3:23) and she knew it. Then I asked if she knew what to “fall short” means. She demonstrated that she knew what to “fall” is! :) I drew her a picture of a man shooting arrows at a target, but they just hit the ground. Then I showed how God gets a bullseye! She totally got it and started asking all these questions! I told her that Jesus came to pick up our arrows and stick 'em in the target. He wants to help us. She told me that she prayed once for her family when they were in Korea but He didn’t answer. She thought he was maybe too “buezzy” (she wrote it because she couldn’t quite remember how to say it!). I said, “No! God is so much bigger than that! He can do anything! He is everywhere all the time!” Then, my personal favorite, “Does Jesus have 100 hands?” It was so exciting to be able to tell her a little bit about how big God is and how much he loves his people. She was really getting it and it was so fun to hear all her questions!

This weekend I went to the varsity soccer games. It was just a classic fall weekend! Sunny skies, crisp air... someone brought a grill and we had hamburgers and hotdogs. I wore my pink hat. :) It was great to be outside and socializing with new friends and cheering on our high school athletes! 

I have been going to an international church here the past few weeks. The paster and his wife are part of Assemblies of God and their kids go to KCA. The church has a pretty fun environment and the worship is familiar. Every week I have some friend to sit by. I might still try out some other churches here in Kiev, but I thought I should let you know that I am going to a good church and not becoming some heathen! :) ha.

Oh, by the way, my birthday last week was awesome! :D As soon as I stepped into school Tuesday morning I was barraged with hugs, cards, chocolates, and cakes! We had several of the teachers over for dinner at our house that night, I got presents and even blew out one pseudo-candle (a match) in an amazing handmade carrot cake! Thanks for all of the facebook birthday notes -- it was really a special day! (I just love birthdays!)

Well, thanks for all the prayers! God hears them... He's taking good care of me! I pray that he blesses each of you! 

Jesus tells us that in the last days "the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved." This week I've been reading these chapters toward the end of Matthew and I just have gotten another wave of urgency in regards to people being ready. Don't lose hope just because the world is hopeless. These things "must take place" and things will even get worse. But that just means we are getting closer to the day when sufferings cease and we can live without the distractions and just be with God. Knowing that my destiny is with Jesus is a huge encouragement to me (understatement, right?), but, everyday I realize that there are so many people that don't know what their destiny is. I don't really know what I'm trying to say here but these are just the thoughts that have been in my head this week... here you go! :) 

Each of these photos are from the our street! That door is our apartment building. Oh, the rooster is from a nearby pet market, however. And, yes, that yellow and red thing in the bottom picture is a TRAM. ha.

Here's an update on my support needs.

FIrst, I want you to know how amazed I am at God's planning! I love it here in Kiev, and I know I am doing the His work here. (Read my other post below!) I want you, my dear friends and family, to be aware of what I need in order to continue with this work. I was recently informed of what my "net salary" will be this month with the current support that I have and it's not enough to even cover my basic expenses. This is not discouraging me however! I know my God will come through... and my friends! :) 

So, I still need $11,500 to make it through the year. I will need people to support me with $15, $50, and $100 a month, or one time gifts. Please consider asking God what he would have you give. You can just click on the link that says "Support Me" or "Count Me In" up on the top (with the hearts) if you're on the email OR the "Support Me" link on the right if you're on the blog. Also, you can certainly email me with any questions! 

I would love to hear from you! <3

What a Week!

I've been in Ukraine for over two weeks now. God is so good. I'm learning new things everyday! This week was a blast! We started school on Tuesday. I had a chance to meet each of my students, I went through the normal first-day drill -- expectations and routines! I told them that it might seem strange, but I am going to greet them everyday at the door; so, don't come into the room if I'm not standing there to greet you!. (I've been trained well... Thanks, Hand In Hand!) We had Wednesday off for the big holiday. And on Thursday when it came time for my classes to start, there were the students waiting in the hall! So sweet! 

Classes are off to a great start! The students are excited about what we will be doing with the Bible this year. In seventh grade, we are studying the Life of Christ for this first semester (and the stories of the Judges, second semester). Eighth grade will be working on Bible study techniques. Don't tell them, but we have a Scribal Project coming up where they will write out a whole book of the NT perfectly and experience a little of the life of a scribe! I think I might have them come to class one of those days dressed as scribes and eat bread and water and work by candle light... I'm not sure yet! :D My tenth grade class is a New Testament Survey course. We will be reading through the entire New Testament together and also will be learning the Inductive Bible Study Method to practice "observing, interpreting, and applying" the scriptures to our lives! 

Well, I know I will be learning so much this year as I pour over the Word preparing for each of these classes... But, a couple days ago I was spending a day focusing on praying for the year and for a bunch of my friends also starting new adventures (shout out to the YWAMers! hehe), and God sort of gave me a vision. First it was like I was in a crowded room with all of these voices trying to tell me things I "should" be doing--pretty condemning -- I was like, "God is that you?" And then, through all of these voices, I heard this really faint "Lilla!" And right away, I knew that was the right voice -- it was kind of coming from the far side of the "room". So I followed that out. And God kind of led me to this garden area (think Jane Austen's Emma... with trellises, and high hedges). God was like, "Come be with me." Then between some hedges there was a sort of swing bench. And I was thinking, "Well, that's cool... but not exactly as comfortable as I would like." And the bench all of a sudden got bigger. "Well, I guess that's better..." Then, there appeared all these fancy cushions and pillows!! I sat on the now-super-comfy swing and just listened to the stillness. Then God's voice came back, "This is where I live -- in the peaceful quiet. Promise me you won't get caught up in all of the words and charts and maps this year..." Well, how could I after all that? God is so good to me... He will always provide and always remind me of what is most important. 

Thanks so much for all of your prayers and support! I would not be here without you! And... here's an answer to prayer! I will be renting with the Leary's this whole year! They are a wonderful family and they are taking such good care of me! This is a huge blessing! Their apartment probably could not be more conveniently located and it is just amazing to be a part of their family! :D 

May the Lord grant you with peace and joy as you go throughout your day! 

If you get a chance, read Psalm 40 today... I think the Lord was trying to show this to me a couple weeks ago. Very encouraging. But what I'm noticing today is that I don't think that David was completely safe when he wrote this. He was proclaiming God's faithfulness when he had not yet seen the full salvation! See, he's still crying out for help in verse 13. This is a good way to live. Thanks David for the example! :)

I better write before school starts

I've been in Ukraine for over a week now! The days are starting to go by quickly since being at school everyday! School hasn't started yet, but I was in all this week getting things ready. KCA is an amazing place! So many people from all over helping out! It's been so interesting to hear their stories. People have been so gracious to me, helping me get around and buy food... The food has been great so far--a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, good bread ("Ukrainski"), home-made organic peanut butter, I still haven't tried Borsch yet... but I'll save that for fall. So far, the weather feels identical to Minnesota! Kiev is really a beautiful place--in some post-Soviet and concrete sort of way! As people show me around they often premise things with "Well, fifteen years ago this was totally different, but now..." So, it's interesting to be learning some of the country's history. This Wednesday is 20 years of Ukrainian independence from the USSR! 

Well, I am excited and just a little bit nervous for school to get started next week. I am looking forward to meeting my students! The daughter of the family that I'm staying with showed me all the yearbook pictures from last year. It looks like I'm in for a great time. I am just hoping I can get a grasp on the material for the first couple weeks, and praying that God inspires my planning and teaching. The curriculum is pretty open, with lots of room to add creative ideas. (If anyone has any great suggestions for middle school and high school Bible, pass them this way!)

As for logistics of living, I'm still waiting to meet with a girl I might room with; she is currently out of town. In the mean time, I'm staying with a really sweet family from the school. The Leary's are helping me out with learning how to live in Kiev and they even gave me their daughter's old phone with minutes on it! They told me I could actually just rent from them and stay here as long as I need to. I guess I'll just wait another week and see what happens with that other girl! 

In terms of support, I've been doing some math, and I'm just under half of my goal. So keep praying that I'll get what I need! If you happen to think of somebody that might be interested in supporting a missionary in Ukraine, could you let me know so I could contact them? 

Alright, friends, have a good week, k? Blessings *

Sneezing, Knitting, and Singing

As I look back over the weekend, I just have to say that I am so thankful for getting sick! Weird. Here’s the truth: Friday, I was taken sightseeing and shopping… getting slightly acclimated to a new country, language, culture, etc.  I got to go see St. Michael’s (the church in the picture), St. Sophia’s, and St. Andrew’s. Saturday, we would have continued these touristy escapades but I woke up sick. Bummer. But, I stayed in, rested up, and suddenly, I now realize, God has restored me after a few very busy seasons of life. I don’t remember the last time I spent an entire weekend in a house by myself.

Don’t worry. I kept busy. Here’s a brief list of things accomplished:

-New slippers knit for myself

-Small poster drawn

-Ornamental gift knit

-Hours of Russian tapes listened to

-Two new movies watched (New to me: Lady in the Water, Erin Brockovich)

-One tiny basement grocery store explored

-Leftover veggies eaten

-Fresh Life sermon listened to (The Uprising Part 1--I highly recommend!)

-Dishes washed

-Parents emailed

-One new worship song purchased (Kristene Mueller- Praise the Lord on iTunes)

-Journal kept up to date

-New song written

That last entry is my favorite! And, this is what has brought me to my recent conclusion of gratitude for being sick. I haven’t had any creative inclination for over six months! Lame. But this weekend, after one full day on the couch, I must have been renewed or something, because all day on Sunday I just wanted to create! I was tired of even following my happy knitting patterns. I just had to make something! I prayed, “God, you know I am not a word person. If you want me to write something, you better give me the words.” Now, I’m not saying this song is heaven-worthy or anything, but it did bring me so much joy to sit down and have something on the page an hour later.

Today was my first day in my classroom! I am treated so well here. The principal came and picked me up this morning, gave me a tour of the school, and helped me get all the old crap out of the room and move my books in. This afternoon she took me to the grocery store and helped me find what I will need for the next couple days at least. It is so funny how I need so much help in these seemingly mundane tasks! But, luckily they realize that’s it’s not what we newbies are used to and there’s plenty of people willing to help! So great. What a blessing.