"My God Is A God Who Provides."

  
 

"You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. Our God and Father abounds in glory that just pours out into eternity. Yes."--Philippians 4:19 (MSG)

Last Wednesday, I wrote a blog about an upcoming ministry opportunity in April. For those of you who haven't seen it, I'll recap a little bit: I have an opportunity to go on a short-term mission trip with Operation Mobilization April 11th-25th. We will be traveling around Ukraine (Vinnytsia Oblast area) and visiting orphanages,schools,villages, etc. The total cost of this trip is $800 (staying at the OM house (Vinnytsia), transportation, food, etc). Thankfully, the payment can be made when I get to Vinnytsia.
I had many fears about not getting enough money and having to say 'no' to the trip. God got my attention by proving that He is enough and He does provide! Within 48 hours of posting the blog, more than half of my trip was paid for. I'm overwhelmingly amazed by my Lord, and so very thankful for the donations from my family and friends. 


As of today, I still need $335.06 to go on this trip. I have great peace that in one way or another, I will be serving in Vinnytsia in April.

In red is Vinnytsia Oblast, the area I will be ministering in.

"What the  ?#$%!*"

If you've ever been around or worked with kids, you know that they are creatures of imitation. They love to copy every move you make and repeat every word said. It's part of how they learn to become more like a "grown-up." Back in October, Yula learned how to tie her shoes because she watched me (...and because I refused to do it for her).

Then there's the part where every word that you say has to be monitored. I will never forget the time when I let some dirty words fly...all by watching what was said on television. My family was sitting around one afternoon, flipping through t.v. channels.  We stopped on Jerry Springer for chuckles and giggles. Well, some redneck (oh wait...isn't that everyone on the show?) just let it fly. Some of you are thinking, "why didn't they 'bleep' the words out." People, this was 90's television; nothing was monitored. I thought it would be so funny to imitate him, so I said exactly what he said. My dad muted the television and just looked at me with his mouth open, matching the expressions of my mama and brother.

Even though these kiddos know little English, they pick up on it very well. They love to watch American films and be able to talk like the characters. Unfortunately, not everything that is said is not so great for them to know...

Lately, they have been going around saying "oh my gosh." They most likely don't know what they're saying, but it's fun to them.  Katya told them that it wasn't a nice thing to say and it was a politer (?) substitute for taking the Lord's name in vain. I was not informed of this "no-no" so I said it last night after I did something dumb. Alona's eyes got as big as saucers and she told Katya that I wasn't allowed to say that. Katya asked me to not say it around the kids anymore. I guess I will be spelling everything out from now on.

T.h.i.s. s.h.o.u.l.d b.e f.u.n.....

"Frankenstein-esque"

I feel like a pretty pretty princess.

Well. There's a time for everything. At 19 years old, I have pink eye (or the fancier name:  bacterial conjunctivitis) for the first time.

Vika came home with it last Tuesday and it has stayed for over a week. Ruslan and Archie quarantined her to her room, but she's restless. They told her over and over not to touch anything, especially her eyes...

Last night after we got home from an awesome day in Vinnytsia, I told Archie that something was wrong with my eye. She told me that if it wasn't better by morning, that I probably got what Vika has. I woke up several times last night because I felt like my right eye had been glued shut. Let's just say I had excessive "eye boogers." Gross. 

I came downstairs this morning for breakfast and found out that Ruslan has the same thing. We laughed at how 'pretty' we looked.

So. I have been quarantined to room so I don't spread my nastiness to the little ones. Believe me, I don't want anyone to feel like I do right now. Not fun.

 "When Opportunity Knocks, Open The Door."

Dear Family and Friends,

                            The past seven and half months have been absolutely incredible! I still cannot believe I have been here since August 24th. There are not enough words to express how life-changing this experience has been. Thinking about leaving here in a few weeks breaks my heart.  I have been so loved, so welcomed, and so encouraged by those around me. Everyday has been an opportunity to love,learn,and grow. It is truly humbling.    Since living here, most of my time has been spent helping this wonderful family as much as possible. This includes: taking the kids to school, helping prepare meals, taking girls to dance, cleaning around the house, working in the garden/greenhouse, spending time with the kids, etc. As you can imagine, life around here is never boring! However, I have also been able to attend church conferences in Vinnytsia, travel to Moldova, meet friends from all over the world, visit schools, do some humanitarian work, take trips with the family, and so on.

   I believe that Abba did not only lead me here to minister to this family, but reach out to the people of Ukraine. I want these people...my people to know that Love has come and desires to transform their lives forever. Many opportunities have risen to do mission or humanitarian work in Ukraine, but I have not felt lead to pursue those. Once again, Abba shows up when I least expect it.

   On Sunday, I was asked by a good friend that works with Operation Mobilization if I would be interested in joining their Global Challenge weeks in April. (11-25) We would be traveling throughout Ukraine, doing missions with orphanages, schools, other churches, etc. This would include skits, puppet shows, service work, and much more. The total cost of this trip would be approximately $800. Thankfully, I have some money saved up and will be putting it towards this. A downside to this is that I only have eighteen days to raise this. Of course I have questions and doubts as to how this is going to work, but I am called to be faithful. "...I tell you the truth, if you have faith even as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible."--Matthew 17:20 (NLT).

    I am earnestly asking for your financial support for this trip. Every donation is being used to bless these children and adults…advancing His gospel and love. I need your prayers, too! Thank you so much for investing your heart to make this moment come alive!

All my love and gratitude,
Raegan Geyer


*Donations can be made through PayPal, which can be found on my blog at: www.raegeyer.blogspot.com. You will find it under the donations category (listed under the adorable pictures of the kids).

"Woke Up In The Mornin' Feelin' Like....A Ukrainian."
 *although I have a disliking for Ke$ha, I found this title to sum up my feelings towards today. So there.

Activities for the day:

• woke up at 7:45 to get jackets for kids 
• Ate scrambled eggs (you have to realize that I've not had scrambled eggs in maybe 3 months or more)
• Got dressed for the day
•  Had a stink bug squashing episode with Isabella, Yula, and Sneezhana (first they hit it with a belt, then put a box over it. Nice)
• Dropped girls off at sadik
• Took Vika to hospital for check-up (I waited in the hallway until they were finished. I guess I look legit Ukrainian since women were coming and asking me questions. I just shook my head no and kind of mumbled some Ukraine. Good thing that was the correct response.
• Visit to the optometrist to get Vika's eye checked-out. Used some of that time to try on some wicked sweet glasses. Thinking about going back to buy some bright yellow ones. Score.
• Went to the bazaar (market) to buy some much needed groceries. Always a treat to walk through and hear Gaga playing somewhere in the background. Just put your paws up, 'cause you were born this way, baby....
• Walking through the meat market......................................................................have considered becoming a vegetarian. Never again.
• Going to a much smaller version of Home Depot to pick up seeds for the greenhouse. Fact: I want to have a rose garden when I own a house. I heart flowers. 
• Coming home for about an house to chow down on beets (killer toffffuuuu....), green onions, and pasta. Freaking yum. 
• Sitting with girls at dance for an hour. Goodness gracious. They are little balls of energy...and a little bit clumsy.
• So on and so forth.

 

Now I plan to sit down and watch a few episodes of Seinfeld. Yes and yes. 

Dear Raegan,

Could you ever imagine yourself getting water out of well...at night...in Ukraine?

Nope. 

Another a-wesome Ukraine experience!

"C 8 марта"

 (Happy Women's Day/Mother's Day/Valentine's Day)

"Originally introduced by the Communists, the holiday has lost its political content and has become a cultural tradition. On this extremely popular holiday, men are expected to do everything around the house and give their women the possibility to have at least the only day off from all the cleaning and cooking. Men present chocolate, flowers, and small gifts to their wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, female friends, and colleagues."

--Thank you Google for this awesome summary--

 

Here's a shout out to all the inspiring and wonderful women in my life:

1. Family--

Mama

Sprite (cat)

Grandmother Bills

Grandma Geyer

Aunt Kim

Aunt Barbara

Aunt Beth

Aunt Marykay

Mary (cousin)

Aubrie (cousin)

Avery (cousin)

Debby (cousin)

Heather (cousin)

Lisa (cousin)

Shannon (cousin)

Jennifer (cousin)

 

2. Mentors:

Ms. Poole (guidance counselor, family friend) 

Ms. Witt (librarian, family friend)

Ms. Cleveland (former Ensemble instructor, music teacher, vocal teacher)

Mrs. Roberts (former math and science teacher)

Ms. Anderson (former history and government teacher) 

Mrs. Randles (former German teacher)

 

3. Ukrainian Family:

Archie

Katya

Baboosya

Vika

Diana

Alona

Sneezhana

Isabella

Yula

*and to all of those fabulous girls I call my "peeps"...you know who you are.

 

Thank you all for your love, encouragement, wisdom, and humor.

 

 

 

 

One of my favorite 80's songs and so appropriate for today, "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper. Enjoy!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIb6AZdTr-A

"Jesus and Gravity"

I'm to the point where it don't add up
I can't say I've come this far with my guitar on pure dumb luck
That's not to say I know it all
Cause everytime I get too high up on my horse I fall

Cause I've got
Somethin' lifting me up
Somethin' holding me down
Somethin' to give me wings and keep my feet on the ground
I've got all I need
Jesus and gravity

But I'm as bad as anyone
Taking all these blessings in my life for granted one by one
When I start to thinkin' it's all me
Well somethin' comes along and knocks me right back on my knees
And I've got...

Somethin' lifting me up
Somethin' holding me down
Somethin' to give me wings and keep my feet on the ground
I've got all I need, Jesus and gravity

He's my friend
He's my light
He's my wings
He's my flight

I've got somethin' lifting me up
Somethin' holding me down
Somethin' to give me wings and
Somethin' to keep my feet on the ground
I've got all I'm gonna need
I got Jesus, I got Jesus,

I got somethin' lifting me up
Somethin' holding me down
Somethin' to give me wings and keep my feet on the ground
I've got all I'll ever need
Cause I got Jesus and gravity

I got somethin' lifting me up
Somethin' holding me down
Somethin' to give me wings and keep my feet on the ground
I've got all I'll need
Cause I've got Jesus and gravity
Jesus, I've got Jesus, I've got Jesus
He's my everything
He lifts me up
He gives me wings
He gives me hope
And He gives me strength
And that's all I'll ever need

As long as He keeps lifting me up
He is my life
He is my God
He is my wings
He is my flight
Lift me
I've got Jesus, I've got Jesus
And that's all I need

"True Life: I Don't Want To Have 8 Kids"

I hate to use blogging as some people use Facebook as a source of whining. I try to keep my blogs optimistic, funny, and hopefully inspiring. However, today was pretty rough.

I spent most of the day going to school programs at both the kindergarten and elementary school. It was for a Mother's Day Celebration (?). Yeah, it sounds really cute with all the little ones reciting poems about moms and giving handmade gifts. It was precious until I walked into the classroom to see Alona and Bogdonchik...and saw a table with candy,cookies,cakes (oh, and oranges) on it. No, this was not for the moms. This was for the children. What? This is Mother's Day...not Halloween. Two kids consuming three days worth of sugar. Here we go...

To make a long story short--all the kids come home with us at 2:00 (they usually get home around 4/4:30 on most school days). Ruslan and Katya are headed out the door to go to Vinnytsia for the night, leaving me, Archie, and Sasha to hold down the fort. Woah. 

My patience level was dropping by the hour that when it came to our family devotionals, I threw the Bible down on the table (don't worry, I wasn't reading) and walked out of the room. I went into the kitchen and took five minutes to deep breathe and recite Galatians 5:22-23 over and over. Yes my friends, the fruit of the Spirit verse. This is a verse that I have heard hundreds of time in my life, but never thought to actually apply to my life. 

This has definitely been one of those big lessons learned while being here. It's being constantly reminded that if I don't possess: love,joy,peace,patience,kindness,goodness,faithfulness,gentleness, and self-control; I am basically worthless in my relationships.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love,joy,peace,patience,kindness,goodness,faithfulness,gentleness, and self-control..."

Galatians 5:22-23

"Just a Little Taste of Home"

This past weekend was probably one of the most fun and busy times I've had since living here. Sasha and I took a little trip to Vinnytsia which included: going to McDonald's (those chicken nuggets were calling my name), wasting time at the mall, meeting up with our good friend Maxim (one of the guys who used to live with Ruslan and Archie), going to an awesome and hilarious youth group, spending the night with our YWAM friends, and so on. We also took Saturday and Sunday to celebrate Mama Archie's birthday. It was so great to have all the family over and good friends. The icing on top of the cake (no pun intended), I got to hear our pastor sing Happy Birthday to Archie. I put on my lollerskates (for those of you who always ask me what this means, it's another way of saying 'I laughed out loud').

Lately, I've been around so many things that remind me home. Examples: when I walked into the youth group on Friday, I instantly felt like I was in the room with familiar friends. I could compare them to the guy I took to formal, a guy I went to church with, a girl I graduated with, a guy who I took geometry with, etc. Another example would be the delicious cornbread that Archie made. The kids told me that every time they ate it, they felt like they were going to hurl. I savored the saw dust texture (as my precious father compares it to) and the thought of Cracker Barrel. Yum. I think the best one was having oatmeal with my YWAM friends and talking about American pop culture. 

So. After all this blabbering, my point is that these are the things that make my homesickness go away. It also makes me a little sad thinking about how I'm going to be back in the States in two and half months...