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!

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