"I'll Be Home For Christmas"

*Admit it, you burst out in song when you read the title. I knew it. 

I have been spending most of my day packing,packing,and packing. I would wait until the day before I leave Mohyliv-Podilskyi. Story of my life. Let me just say that I'm a little bitter with the airline industry for only letting me check one bag. One bag?! If I decide to check a second bag, I would have to pay close to $70.00. Okay. Whatevs.

The past few days have been crazy awesome. The weekend was filled with great food, great friends, and great memories. Celebrating Thanksgiving with my Ukrainian is one of those memories that I would not trade for anything in the world. Watching the kids try turkey and stuffing was priceless. On Sunday, I spent most of my day with Sasha and Katya in Vinnytsia. We attended a conference with our church to hear Dag Heward-Mills speak (if you don't know who is he...Google it). 

So glad I could spend my last day with the kids. They never cease to make me smile and laugh. I will the Tkachuk family incredibly while I am away.

Let me fill you in on what's happening the next few days. I will be leaving tomorrow with Papa Ruslan to go to Kiev. We will be picking up a friend in Vinnytsia along the way. I will spending most of tomorrow in Kiev. My flight from Kiev leaves at 12:40 and I arrive in Atlanta at 8:30 pm. Pray that I make my connecting flight in Paris! :)


My next blog will be when I'm in the United States!

---------------------

 

During the fall/winter, Ukraine has a huge population of blackbirds or "varrronas (extra r's were included for emphasis)". They.are.everywhere. Especially in the villages where they find more food. I absolutely love birds, so I don't find this a problem. Well, sometimes it's creepy. Like this morning I was walking with Yula to sadik and a group were flying overhead, sitting on the trees, and sitting on the fences. There was a moment where I thought, "Man, I kind of feel like I live in Bodega Bay. If these birds just decide that they want to peck my eyes out, where is the nearest phone booth so I can protect myself. The better question is, what would Melanie Daniels do. Oh, that's right. She goes b-a-n-a-n-a-s at the end of The Birds. Well...I guess I can just run for my life."

So. The point of all that rambling is that if you're terribly afraid of birds, I wouldn't come to Ukraine anytime soon. The end.

Yep. That's about right.

"The Trials of a Broken Toe"

So.I broke my pinky toe on my left foot Wednesday afternoon (November 10th). Awesome blossom, right? I know you're dying to know how I did that. I had my dresser drawers pulled out (which are stored under my bunk bed) deciding what I was going to wear for the day. Mama Archie called me to tell me that lunch was ready. I responded to her call like it was a fire drill and ran into the drawer. At first, I knew that I had stubbed my toe...which hurts only for a few seconds. I looked down at my toe and it was bleeding...and it was kind of crooked. Shoosh. I walked downstairs to get a band-aid and to show Archie my injury. I walked around like Frankenstein. I felt like a freak. By the end of the day my toe had turned into a Vienna sausage/hot dog. Pretty.

I thought I would share the beauty of my broken toe to my blog readers. You're welcome.

Vom-worthy.

Yay for having a red,purple,blue,black, and somewhat green toe.

So. I'm not an expert on using medical tape. This is the best I could do.

*Happy Thanksgiving

 "Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;
   let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
 Let us come before him with thanksgiving
   and extol him with music and song."

--Psalm 95:1-6 

For those of you have been asking or are curious: Ukraine does not celebrate Thanksgiving. Ukraine celebrates a sort of Thanksgiving (Harvest Day) on the 26th of September. My family in Ukraine will be celebrating an American Thanksgiving this Saturday. We are going to have several family and friends over to help us celebrate. Yes, there will be turkey and pie. Bring it on.

Unfortunately, I've been spending most of my Thanksgiving in bed feeling under the weather. Since yesterday, I've been having this yucky sinus,cough,congestion,sore throat nonsense. To help lift my spirits, I watched Elf (Will Ferrell can brighten any one's day). I am planning on watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade online this afternoon and will start packing for my trip home next Thursday!

*A few excerpts from 'A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving'

Linus: "In the year 1621, the Pilgrims held their first Thanksgiving feast. They invited the great Indian chief Massasoit, who brought ninety of his brave Indians and a great abundance of food. Governor William Bradford and Captain Miles Standish were honored guests. Elder William Brewster, who was a minister, said a prayer that went something like this: 'We thank God for our homes and our food and our safety in a new land. We thank God for the opportunity to create a new world for freedom and justice." 
Peppermint Patty: Amen.

[after singing "Over the River and Through the Woods to Grandmother's House We Go."]
Charlie Brown: Well, there's only one thing wrong with that.
Linus: What's that, Charlie Brown?  
Charlie Brown: My grandmother lives in a condominium. 

 

 

"You don't choose your family.  They are God's gift to you, as you are to them."  

--Desmond Tutu

Today (November 24th-since I epically failed to post a blog yesterday), I am so grateful for my family. For Daddy, Mama, Jordan,Kristian (my brother's girlfriend) Grandpa,Grandma,Grandmother,Granddaddy,my aunts-(Barbara,Beth,Marykay,Kim), my uncles-(Jeff,Lane,Scott), my cousins-(Aubrie,Avery,Micah,Mary,Matthew,Lisa,Debby,Heather,Jesse,Jennifer, and Shannon). I can't help but gush about how truly wonderful my family is. I'm so proud to be the daughter,sister,granddaughter,niece,and cousin of these individuals. Thank you for being my source of love,encouragement,wisdom,strength,and humor throughout these 19 years.
I love you all to the moon and back. I cannot wait to be reunited with you next month!


To Daddy,Mama,Jordan,Kristian,Grandmother,and Granddaddy (..the pets too..Mike,Charlie,and Sprite): wish I was home to celebrate Thanksgiving with you. Be sure to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade,eat some turkey and Sister Schubert rolls, and play Rook for me.

*We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.

--Thornton Wilder

I'm dedicating this blog post to my friends, whom I am incredibly thankful for. They are some of the greatest treasures in my life. These are the women and men who have given me overwhelming love, encouragement, wisdom, real-talk, and lots of laughter. The way I feel about my friends is kind of like this.

"I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason; bringing something we must learn. And we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them, and we help them in return. Well, I don't know if I believe that's true, but I know I'm who I am today because I knew you."

--For Good (Wicked)

 

10 things about my friends that I am thankful for:

 

1. Their optimism: I'm so blessed to have friends that choose to live their lives looking at the "sunny side" of things. This attribute is attractive to anyone. 

2. Their encouragement: Without their continuous and genuine words of hope, I would have not been able to see through the darkest hours of my life. They also celebrate with me for the beautiful times in my life.

3. Their hugs: For most of my life, I hated physical touch. Don't ask me why...I just didn't care for it. One of the things I have missed most while being here is the hugs from my friends. It makes me feel like I am home.

4. Their straight-up-ness (no, you can't find that on dictionary.com): I love having friends who are just real. Real about their actions, their words, their lifestyles, their Faith.

5. Their humor: Oh me, oh my. I could go on forever about how much my friends make me laugh. I have friends who can make me laugh so hard, I think I'm getting a 6-pack. Okay, so maybe not that hard...but they are pretty funny.

6. Their love for sweet Jesus: I have friends who are true followers of Jesus Christ. It's undeniable. You can feel it when you're around them. It's so beautiful to think that we are bonded as brothers and sisters in His name.

7. Their laughter: I love to hear my friends laugh. Sometimes I'll get tickled just listening to them laugh at something. Can't wait to hear this beautiful noise soon.

8. Their compassion: I have some big-hearted friends. For realsies. They have such a tenderness towards the things that the world would consider 'unimportant' or 'insignificant.'

9. Their accountability: I know that I could go to any one of these friends and pour my heart out. My secrets are kept safe, my 'dirty laundry' would never be exposed. They continually lift my joys and sorrows to the Best Secret Keeper.

10. That they chose to befriend me. In whatever way we met, thank you for reaching out your hand of friendship to me. From the friends of 13 years to the friends of 3 years...you all have made me who I am today. To many more years of life,love, and laughter.

 

"Turkey for the girls and turkey for the boys. My favorite kind of pants are corduroys. Gobble gobble goo and
Gobble gobble gickel. I wish turkey only cost a nickel. Oh I love turkey on Thanksgiving."

(if you can tell me where this is from, I'll give you a high five when I get back to the States.)

*One of favorite holidays is coming up on Thursday. So.stinkin'.excited. I decided that the very best way to celebrate this historic and delicious day is to share the many things I'm thankful for. Everyday this week, I will have 10 (or more) people,places, or things that I say thanks for (and why I'm thankful)

Starting today.

1. I'm thankful for laughter. It is indeed the best medicine. It's universal and can bring people together in what seems to be an insignificant way. I can laugh at just about anything. From an episode of Spongebob to an awkward situation. What a great gift.

2. I'm thankful for seasons. Life would be incredibly melancholy if we did not have this change. I absolutely love the joys and differences the seasons bring.

3. I'm thankful for animals. They bring me so much joy and laughter. I've always had a tender spot for animals and their well-being. Every single time the animal abuse commercial came on television (you know, the one with Willy Nelson singing "You Were Always On My Mind"), I had to either turn the channel or run out of the room.

4. I'm thankful for flowers. I love them. Every type of flower is magnificently intricate and beautiful. The first week of October I bought myself daisies. just because. One of my dreams is to work as a florist.

5. I'm thankful for cozy comforters and movies. Yep. That's all I have to say about that (in Forest Gump's voice)

6. I'm thankful for modern technology. Thankfully, I grew up in the 90's where the internet was booming. My life was very convenient to say the least. Especially living in Ukraine, I am overly joyed that I can talk to my friends and family at any time.

7. I'm thankful for coffee. Yes. Coffee. My bones are probably becoming brittle, my teeth are losing their sheen, my heart beat is racing too quickly...but I love it. I can't wait to have a cup of Stabucks coffee when I get home. Yum.yum.and yum.

8. I'm thankful for music. Music moves me in a way that I can't explain. I am a lover of all genres of music. Seriously. I get teased a lot because I have artists from Lil' Wayne to Pavarotti. I am not ashamed.

9. I'm thankful for world travel. Whenever I'm asked what my favorite things are or what my hobbies are, I always answer "traveling." I'm an addict. If someone gave me a plane ticket to go anywhere in the world, I would go. China will always be my first love.

10. I'm thankful for delicious food. I enjoy different tastes and textures of food. God created Paula Dean's "This Ain't Yo Mama's Banana Puddin'" and said 'it was good.' Is that wrong to say?

Just Because I Found It Hilarious.

One of the ways I make myself laugh when I'm having a rough day is to read the kids' English books. They.are.hysterical. If you're not aware, children in other counties are taught British English, not American English. This means that everything is super formal and out of date. Not to mention that all the people in the books look like they belong in a 90's grunge-rock video. While I was scanning the bookshelf, I discovered "English 9." I started flipping through the pages to just see what Ukrainian teenagers are being taught. Normal stuff it seemed...

 Then I fell upon this beautiful title: "John Lennon." Yes. THE JOHN LENNON FROM THE BEATLES (oh, and for those of you who have been hiding under a rock this week, Apple officially put The Beatles music on iTunes. PTL.). So I continued to read what the little section said about him. Here it goes.

"John Lennon was murdered just before 11 p.m. on December 8, 1980 outside the Dakota, an apartment building where he lived in New York City. He had just got out of a car and was walking to the entrance when a voice called, 'Mr. Lennon'. Lennon turned and was shot five times. The killer threw his gun down and stood there smiling. 'Do you know what you just did?' shouted the doorman. 'I just shot John Lennon.' the killer replied. Lennon was rushed to the hospital in a police car, but it was too late. The killer was 25 year-old Mark Chapman from Hawaii. Earlier the same evening he had asked Lennon for his autograph. In fact, he had been hanging around outside the apartment building for several days. Chapman was a fan of Lennon and had tried to imitate him in many ways. It is said that he even believed that he was John Lennon."

*Oh no, this isn't the end. Let's all take a look at the questions that were below the section.

1. When was John Lennon murdered?

2. Who was his killer?

3. Did he hate John Lennon?

4. Was Mark Chapman a normal man?

5. Why do you think so?

Where do I even begin? Did anyone else stop and think, 'what kind of question is #4?!' I sat there for a minute, chuckled, then answered the question for myself. "No, Mark Chapman was NOT a normal man. He was a complete fruitcake. Anyone who lurks outside someone's house is a psycho. He was probably planning on climbin' in John's windows, snatchin' his people up (aka his wife Yoko Ono and son Jude). Does anyone remember how Charlie Manson wanted to be like the Beach Boys...we all saw how that turned out. The end."

This book is also available in Spanish. Right on.

I may have a reader's crush on John Eldredge, but not as big of a crush as I have for Jon Acuff (Stuff Christians Like)

Liam Hemsworth, please make more appearances in movies. Okay, thanks.

So, when I picture Peter Pan I think of the  Disney one with the cute face and pointy ears...not this one who looks like a street hoodlum clothed in a leaf dress.

"Book Nerd"

Straight up. I like to read. It's one of my favorite things to do. My top 5 favorite books (in no particular order): Les Miserables, To Kill a Mockingbird, Animal Farm, Blue Like Jazz, The Hiding Place. I'm also a BIG fan of children's book. 

Since living in Ukraine, I have read more in these past 3 and a half months than I would normally. It.is.wonderful. I feel like my brain is actually getting some sort of stimulation since I'm not in college right now. Ha.ha.ha.

So, I'm going to give you highlights of what I thought about each book. Don't get your hopes that it's going to be some insightful description that's going to make you run to the nearest Borders as soon as you finish reading this blog. Run on sentence? Probably so.

• The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks-Well, let's face it. Every book this guy publishes is a nugget of gold...and also very inaccurate to how love really works out. When this movie came out earlier this year, I refused to go see it. The thought of me paying $8+ dollars to support Miley Cyrus' career made me want to vomit. Okay, enough of my rant. The book was exquisite. The storyline kept my interest, the characters were inviting, it was heartfelt and personal. Definitely a good read.

• Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie-I thought it would be good for me to read a classic children's book since I want to write and publish one someday. I was satisfied with my choice. Even though this book was published in 1911, it has a lasting impression. It's whimsical and thought-provoking, silly and serious. I sometimes wish I had a friend like Peter Pan...(awkward cough)

• Captivating by John & Stasi Eldredge-So many women I know have recommended this book to me. An excellent book for women of all ages. I never felt like I was reading a super feminist of self-help book. John and Stasi both captured the essence of a woman's heart and desires. Many truths that Scripture teaches about my role as a woman, femininity, and worth were reaffirmed for me. 

• The Journey of Desire by John Eldredge-I just finished this book on Tuesday and oh my goodness. What a book. I'm not one of those people who read a book and say it has changed their entire outlook on life, but this one did change much of how I think. It was one of those books that you have to read an entire section over again because it was that powerful. It was a tool to help me understand what Abba desires to teach me about my own desires. Very good devotion and/or free time book.

*I am currently reading Every Man Dies Alone by Hans Fallada. I'll probably finish it by May since it has 528 pages and I'm an extremely slow reader. Story of my life.

"When Your Thoughts Go Coo-Coo for Coco Puffs"

Every now and then I'll put my "thoughts for the day" as my status on Facebook. These thoughts tend to be random and have 0 connection to each other. So sue me if I occasionally think like a 6 year old. This is totes the story of my life.

If I put all the thoughts I had for this week on Facebook, I would be blowin' every body's news feeds up. That would cause some deletion. Oops. So-I'm going to write a blog post listing all my thoughts from the past couple of days.

1. I enjoy the fact that many Ukrainian words end with "ski". Example: "Brusselski (brussels sprouts), "Mexicanski" (Mexican food). From now on, ski will be added to the end of English words to spice them up. 
2. I now can say I have planted strawberries after spending two days replanting strawberry roots. Yay for those Geyer farming genes.
3. Today, I talked to a chicken like I would a pet dog or cat. Yep.
4. It's been one of those days where I've quoted The Breakfast Club (to myself) and laughed out loud: "Brian, this is a very nutritious lunch. All the food groups are represented. Did your mom marry Mr. Rogers?"
5. There are days where I wish I could sit and watch an endless marathon of Doug,Hey Arnold!, KABLAM!, The Wonder Years, and Family Matters. I'm proud to be a 90's child.
6. I ate McDonald's last Monday for the first time in 3 months...and I don't miss it.
7. I now sleep with a Woody (Toy Story) that my besss fraayyyunn, Rachel sent me. Wonderous.
8. I found out that I'll be flying through Paris and Amsterdam on the way to and from America. Yes please!
9. I can't wait to cuddle with my pets when I come home. I miss Mike, Charlie, and the obese cat, Sprite. (Minnie Mouse went to see Jesus on September 11th. Still miss her.)
10. David Archuleta, I have listened to your Christmas album since October. I'm kind of love with your voice.
11. Enjoyed my first Halloween away from America. Seriously. I didn't miss the freaks roaming around the streets in cheap Friday the 13th costumes.
12. I thoroughly enjoy real talk with anyone at anytime. Of course, a nice cup of Starbucks coffee doesn't hurt either. Just sayin'.
13. My legs and buns have been on fire the past few days due to strenuous "workout" I've been getting from taking the little girls to sadik (kindergarten) and planting strawberries. Ouch.
14. Wishes I was like Betty Crocker sometimes. Then I remember of all the times I've almost blown up my house due to my lack of cooking/baking skills.
15. According to Bob Dylan, "the sun's not yellow, it's chicken." A point to ponder, for sure.
16. While on my way to pick up the girls from kindergarten, I thought I was going to get attacked by a mob of geese and turkey. I got scared.
17. Sometimes I think I might follow the career path of my parents and become a teacher...hahah. No.
18. Realized that I'm going home at the worst time of the year: Christmas time. Hello gaining 15 pounds from eggnog, Christmas cookies, candy canes, Sister Schubert rolls..
19. Maybe I should start looking at colleges again.
20. No need to thank me for this inspiring thoughts. You're welcome. (please note the heavy sarcasm.)

 

"Daughters."

"Every little girl should be so loved, so welcomed-seen, known, treasured. From this place she can become a strong and beautiful and confident woman."--Captivating, page 61

   One of the many blessings I have living in this home is being surrounded by 5 remarkable little girls. I love to wake up to the sound of them singing and giggling. All of them are delightfully different in their own ways. Vika (9), Diana (9), Alona (6), Yula (4), Sneezhana (5) have such happiness in their souls. I have envied their carefree spirits and the way they view life. You would never know the inflictions that these precious lambs of Jesus have been dealt.

   These girls have all been somehow abused: verbally, physically, sexually, or emotionally. They have all come from homes where the fathers and mothers were non-existent (parents addicted to alcohol and drugs). Two of these girls have been sexually abused by their own fathers. Three of these girls were living with their grandmothers before they came to the Tkachuk home...their backgrounds and stories are so painful.

   My heart is wrenching with pain just writing this blog. I cannot tell you how many times I have wept for the hearts of these girls. I have talked to Abba and told Him that I would take on their brokenness if I could. I have also balled my hand into a fist wishing I could hit the parents. Just the other night, Vika was laying on my lap sleeping and I began to pray for her. Before I knew it, tears were rolling down my cheeks. The injustice is.just.so.sickening.

   This is why Jesus is not just a King or a Lord, but a Daddy. An intimate, personal, caring figure in our hurting lives. Jesus takes on many names and roles (I could write about 20+ blogs just on this topic), but this one is so special. He has become a key figure that many young women and men have missing from their lives. "Because you are son, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts and the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father.'" (Galatians 4:6, NIV). Even though I have a more than wonderful, loving, and present earthly father...he can't fill the void that needs to be filled by my Heavenly Father.

   This is my prayer for these Princesses of the King: that they might know the overwhelming love,power,protection,and satisfaction that they have in their Abba. Not only this, but know that their beauty and presence is captivating. Praying that they might see that there are good men and women in this earth who just want to love on them, like Ruslan and Archie. Praying that He might send men in their lives who will cherish and love them selflessly.

*Sweet Jesus, may they wrapped up in your tenderness.

-----

When I was first writing this, I almost put the lyrics to John Mayer's "Daughters", however, he makes me want to vom. Really talk though-I found Kari Jobe's "My Beloved" to be more fitting.

You're My Beloved
You're My Bride
To sing over you is My delight
Come away with Me My love

You're Beautiful to Me
So beautiful to Me

Under My mercy
Come and wait
Till we are standing face to face
I see no stain on you
My child

You're Beautiful to Me
So Beautiful to Me

I sing over you My song of peace
Cast all your care down at My feet
Come and find your rest in Me

I'll breathe My life inside of you
I'll bear you up on eagle's wings
And hide you in the shadow of My strength
I'll take you to My quiet waters
I'll restore your soul
Come rest in Me and be made whole

You're My beloved
You're My Bride
To sing over you is my delight
Come away with me my love

"POTW"

(pictures of the week)

Last day of October (insert Barry Manilow's "When October Goes"). Sasha and I spent some of the day playing with the kids at a park. If I could zoom up on his face, I would. Lols.

Yes. You're seeing this correctly. The Bogdons are dancing now. Shooo.

Meet Maxim. He's sporting a mullet. There you go-MOTW.

Kid in Sneezhana's, Yula's, and Isabella's kindergarten class. The whole outfit just makes me laugh. Bless his heart.

This pen may be as scary as the Burger King. Just maybe.

Ha.Ha.Ha. Don't worry, Sasha doesn't go out like this in public :)

Sasha talking to a teddy bear. One of the funniest things that happened in October. Yep.

Okay. So this isn't in Ukraine (even though I wish it was), but I found it too hilarious not to share. Gary Busey, you are a pretty princess.

"Oh, October!"

...Phew. October is really over. This past month has been nothing less than c-r-a-z-y. I'm so thankful to have Mama Archie, Katya, and Isabella back home with us. 
There was waaaayyyy too much that went on this month for me to write about, however, I will highlight some of the events.

• Played the role of Mama and big sister for a month (more of the big sister part. Bless Ruslan's heart, he had to play Papa & Mama)
• Spent the first week with Ruslan's Mama, who speaks 0 English. However, this gave me the advantage of picking up a few Ukrainian words. 
• Got to meet Maxim, one of the many teens/kids that lived with Ruslan and Archie. What a sweet guy. He provided some comic relief in the midst of all the craziness. 
• Took the girls to dance by myself which included riding the marshootka. 
•  Spent the day in Vinnytsia with the youth group from church. It was so enjoyable to just fellowship with other believers.   
• Took a day trip (ha, that's an understatement) to Moldova to get my Ukrainian Visa! Yes, Moldova is a country.
• Sat/talked in two English classes...hopefully I will be visiting more schools here in Mohyliv from now on.
• Going to Alona's, Bogdanchik's, Sneezhana's, and Yula's "Fall Festivals" at school and sadik (kindergarten). Too.freaking.cute. 
• Learned how to use a knife. Yes. For those of you who don't know me, I hate knives. This is a big deal. No judging.
• Spent some time in the kitchen learning how to make compot (a Ukrainian fruit drink), soups, salads, etc. 
• Taught the kids a little bit of English. Phrases include: "How are you," "What happened," "spread bread please," "pour me a drink," "nothing," "sleep," etc...it's time to teach them some Raegan lingo.
• Sadly, I experienced a great deal of homesickness. No fun.
• Talked to several of my friends/family on the telephone through Skype. Hallelujaaarrr.

• ^^Had the pleasure of listening to the 2010-2011 GCA Ensemble singing. Man, I sure do miss my music family.
• Spent a month living,loving,and laughing with the most incredible kids. Vika,Diana,Alona,Sneezhana,Yula,Bogdon,and Bogdonchick: you all are some kind of wonderful.

If someone asked me in all honesty if I wanted to repeat October, I would say no. I have never been so emotionally/physically/mentally/and spiritually challenged in my life. There were many times that I wanted to "throw in the towel" and walk away...but I wouldn't learn, would I? The entire purpose of October was to just.be.taught. Taught how to be a Mama, to be an older sister (which, I've never had this experience. I've always been the baby), to provide for family, to face fears had on instead of run away, to be selfless and serving, to be patient and peaceful in all circumstances, to be humble, to be merciful...

Above all, to do small things with great love.