Living Inspired.

"30 Days, 100 Ways."

 I can believe it's already April 4th! Where has 2011 gone? The older I get, the faster time goes. Honestly, it sucks. I remember and treasure the days that felt like they would neeevvverrr end.

The past few days have been spent making plans for coming home...something that I have avoided doing for quite awhile. It's official. I'm flying back to the States on May 19th. I will be flying back home the next day. I counted 45 more days in the country and 30 days with this family (I will be on the mission trip in Vinnytsia for approx. 15 days). As May approaches, each day here becomes bittersweet. I rejoice every moment I can laugh and smile with my family and friends. I weep every moment I think about being an ocean apart from them. However, it challenges me to love and serve wholeheartedly and selflessly the days I have left here.

So to celebrate and remember my time here, I'm going to list 30 things I love/have loved about my time here (so far).

1. I love the Tkachuk family: Ruslan, Archie, Sasha, Dima, Yura, Katya, Vika, Diana, Alona, Sneezhana, Bogdon, Bogdonchik, Isabella, and Yula.

2. I love the value of family. 

3. I love the quietness of living in a village.

4. I love the organic diet. 

5. I love that close friends kiss each other on the cheek.

6.  I love that every occasion calls for sweets and hot tea.

7.  I love waking up to the sound of giggling, singing, and laughing.

8. I love Russian/Ukrainian pop music.

9. I love the cute little babooshkas walking down the street.

10. I love the pastel colored houses.

11. I love hanging out with Sasha and Katya.

12. I love how beautiful each season is. 

13. I love when the kids sing 'Happy Birthday'.

14. I love the beautiful Orthodox churches.

15. I love traveling and spending time in Vinnytsia.

16. I love cooking with Mama Archie.

17. I love the sunrises and sunsets.

18. I love saying "privet."

19. I love taking Yula,Sneezhana, and Isabella to sadik.

20. I love our church.

21. I love real talk with Ruslan.

22. I love how the blue clouds and skies are always picture-perfect.

23. I love the golden sunflower fields.

24. I love going to Baboosya's (Ruslan's Mama's) house.

25. I love having Moldova as a neighbor.

26. I love watching American movies and cartoons in Ukrainian.

27. I love the welcoming feeling you get when you meet someone new.

28. I love the Ukrainian national anthem.

29. I love the 8 BIG smiles I see everyday.

30. I love that I chose to come to Ukraine at 19 year old.