It’s a ZOO Out There October 31, 2008

Sorry I have been a few days behind, but our minutes ran out and I got behind. So, what’s the news today?

Well here goes. Two nights ago we lost Jon’s math assignments. Now being a teacher myself I don’t take many excuses, but we got a doozie! His math assignment sheet literally flew out the window. Really, we had the window opened (that’s our thermostat) and we watched his page get sucked out and over about three blocks. Jon gives credit to this event as a proof that prayer does work. I haven’t burned anything lately, but we do have some clothing with a nice lime green color due to a washing machine error. Jerry is making it with strawberry toilet paper—we all have our burdens to bear. Petya wants to know down to the minute when he will be home. I thought Jerry was a “details” man until this kiddo came along. And back on the farm… Princess Leah has adjusted nicely to her new living facilities. Pellet and Puppy are making it just fine and Mom is doing a great job! My cousin Keith is the one that deserves a medal—he has been helping mom paint this week. Crowns in glory Keith, just think about those crowns! A big thanks to all our neighbors that have pitched in to help while we are gone. So many have helped with things around the house and looking out for us and we are forever grateful! Now, on to today’s highlights. We decided that we needed some time OUT of the apartment and we have really been wanting to go to the zoo. It is not expensive here and although it is located way across town, there is a metro that runs right to it. We laid out the old metro map, made our plans last night and today we made it! It was no small feat in that we had to switch from the red metro line to the green and the metro was PACKED today. I cannot imagine living in a city like this and riding that thing everyday. People are up against you in every direction. I do want to say that they are nice and understanding. I even saw a man get off balanced today and others around him help him from falling. People don’t really speak on the metro, sort of the same rules as when in an elevator. Of course I talk everywhere so I had to say a few words or pop! Now I think I know how a school of fish must feel. You kind of just move with the crowd. We did arrive at the zoo and it turned out to be a wonderful day. The weather was great and a zoo in the fall is beautiful. We bought our tickets and spent the day there. They had tons to see. They even had a special reptile exhibit that Jon LOVED. The animals are MUCH closer to you than at the Memphis zoo. This zoo kinda reminded me of what the Memphis zoo was like when I was a kid. There were tons of animals and some I had never seen before. There were a few American animals present like the buffalo and hawk and Eagle. They were doing a ton of improvements and additions. Some of the areas were closed and some of the animals were housed for the winter, but we still saw TONS of things. Oh, it was so nice and it wasn’t crowded. The weather forecast was for rain, but the clouds cleared and the day was perfect. We also took a Ferris wheel ride over the zoo. None of us have ever been on one before, but for 2 bucks we couldn’t miss it. The seats were not like home. Your legs didn’t hang over the edge. The seats would hold 4 and were completely enclosed so you really felt safe. We LOVED the ride and I took some great pictures of the city from the top of the wheel. Jerry, who is slightly afraid of heights, was quite pleased when it was over. I could have stayed on the thing all day long. We “metroed” back home with no international incidents and grabbed a bite at Pzata Khata, which is the Ukrainian style cafeteria. We have only one dilemma with that restaurant—for the past two times we have eaten there we have accidentally gotten beef liver. See, it is camouflaged. They cook the liver over here so that it looks like a pork chop or hamburger steak. Beef liver is NOT good in ANY country. Thankfully we had also ordered potatoes and had a salad and soup so we didn’t go hungry, but we did leave the liver on our plates. That is one dish I will NOT miss eating. On our way home we decided to celebrate some news we received. I can’t exactly explain what it is, but let’s say that on Monday we will be needing your prayers around 7 that morning and hope to have some news about traveling to our next stop. There is a fantastic coffee shop on the way home and we treated ourselves to a chocolate fondue also. Oh, the chocolate was so good I was almost embarrassed that I was licking it from the bowl, but no one will ever see me again and I kept saying things with a French accent so maybe no one knew I was an American. The coffee was delicious and Jerry even branched out and got something. He had an espresso with a dollop of vanilla ice cream and vanilla syrup and it was to die for! Once we had eaten everything but the fondue pot, we headed home. Jerry has buzzed down to the Pizza place at the bottom of the apartment for whatever they think he is ordering this time. We have yet to have the same pizza twice from there even though Jerry orders the same thing every time. Oh, well its an adventure. Drop us a line and let us know how you are doing. We love and miss everyone, but more than that we miss steak. Really, we miss steak and when we get home we plan on going to the Dinner Bell and ordering the biggest slab of beef they have and eating it down to the last bite!

The Great Charmin Shortage of 2008 October 31, 2008

If you read yesterday’s episode you will know that I, being the Queen, declared today to be a Saturday, and it began like any other great Saturday morning. We slept late. Everyone got up about 10:30. I went to the kitchen, prayed over the stove and attempted to again cook bacon. It was then that I heard it… Jerry needed toilet paper. Be aware that Jerry WILL NOT use any brand except Charmin, and it has to be in the red package. Really, it is a must. He will go without basic necessitates in order to be able to purchase Charmin in the red package. Upon packing for Ukraine we had to make room in the bags for 12 jumbo rolls of Charmin from the red package, and we did. Well, I immediately went looking through the bags, then the carry-on luggage, then the backpacks and then my purse and there was NO Charmin to be found. Not thinking I just nonchalantly said, “There’s no Charmin, you’ll have to use the Ukrainian stuff.” You would have thought I had told him that Mississippi State had lost to Ole Miss. Oh, the wailing and complaining and concern that sat in. He emerged from the water closet, as it is called in Ukraine, and he was NOT a happy camper. I was still trying to cook bacon when I heard him getting dressed. “Funny, I thought we were staying in today” I yelled to him and he responded that he was going to the market (3 block walk) to purchase some Charmin. Now I had gone through that section of the store before and I had not found the Charmin. Oh, there are several other brands, but no Charmin. In fact you can get toilet paper that is pink or purple, but Charmin was not on the shelf. I hesitated on telling him for two reasons: (1) he wouldn’t believe that it would be possible to exist without Charmin & (2) it seemed like fun for him to go and find out himself. So off he went. I actually completed the bacon without anything flaming into ash and we waited on Jerry’s return. After a few minutes, the key in the door slowly turned and poor Jerry came in the door like a little whipped puppy dog. I could tell by the look on his face that Charmin was not located. I tried to put on a happy face and proudly proclaimed “Look, honey, BACON, and no smoke!” Jerry mumbled, “yeah…” I had soup fixed and BT –bacon tomato sandwiches– and coke with ice. He glanced at it and sighed. I convinced him that kneeling to pray over the toilet paper would not turn it into Charmin. He came back that Jesus had turned water into wine once and therefore it wouldn’t be too much to turn Kleenex into Charmin. I took the toilet paper and put it in the bathroom, er water closet, and pleaded with him to eat his lunch. It was really good, the sandwich was great. We watched a favorite show of his—The Red Green Show—and played some games. I was certain that I had gotten his mind off his troubles. We hung out together for several hours just having a great time. We even went down to the small park beside our apartment to feed the birds and just enjoyed the weather and being together. Jerry wanted McDonald’s again for supper so he decided to walk and check out the exchange rate and bring home some double cheeseburgers. He made a quick trip and had bags of greasy goodness when he arrived back home. It was then that it happened—his return visit to the water closet. I didn’t know whether to get ready to eat or to get ready to fast. Then I heard one of the strangest things I will ever hear come from behind a bathroom door. Jerry said, “Hey, it smells like strawberries!” I hesitated on my return question as I poured over the possibilities in my mind. Finally curiosity got the better of me and I said, “What smells like strawberries?” He replied, “The toilet paper—it is scented with strawberry fragrance.” I must admit I was somewhat relieved. Then he said, “Its got drawings all over it too!” Again, a moment to ponder the possibilities, and I finally asked, “What has drawings all over it?” His reply, “The toilet paper, it is so cute. Strawberry scented AND it has strawberries drawn right hear on the paper!” I asked him to toss me a roll and sure enough—the paper DOES smell just like strawberries and there are strawberries printed all over it! It is amazing! Just as we thought the world was coming to an end, literally, a bright spot appeared! I will of course be taking orders for strawberry toilet paper. We are all a quiver with excitement because we are headed to the market tomorrow to see what other “flavors” of paper we can find. So as you can see things have been wonderful today. Even a “Saturday” has been filled with excitement and fun. Our spirits are good, even though we do miss home. We are getting excited about seeing Petya and he is so filled with excitement about seeing us. He already has plans for when we get together. Everyday is closer. We do feel your prayers! Please know that your prayers are taking us through. We love everyone so much and Petya sends hugs and kisses to everyone. He is really getting excited about coming home. He is so excited about seeing everyone again. He is even practicing common greeting expressions in English. The day has ended with watching the Santa Clause #2 and discussing the fact that Christmas is getting really close. So, I wonder if everyone would rather have their toilet paper gift wrapped or put in a gift bag? Better wrap it; you could smell the strawberries if it was just in a bag.

Ah, the sweet smell of strawberries!

Smells just like a stawberry shortcake.

I wonder if these are hand painted?

Check out the Royal Links of Important Stuff October 29, 2008

Conveniently located in the bottom right hand corner of this page you will find links that will amaze you.

To see our photo albums and other things we love check out the links section to take you there!  All of our photos can be linked to from this section.

Jan’s No Good, Very Bad, Terrible Day October 29, 2008

Well all I can say is that it started out rough today, but ended up great. I arose, at 10, as usual and proceeded to the kitchen to begin brunch. Jon had gotten up earlier and Jerry started him on math. I put the bacon in the pot as usual. Now understand that our stove eyes have two settings—fire-brimstone and barely warm. We use the low setting to soften the ice cream, so I set the bacon on the high setting. I waited the usually time—2.83 seconds—and Jerry walked in the kitchen to inform me that something smelled like it was burning. I agreed and opened the pot to see that the bacon had gone way, way beyond crispy. Actually it was burned into oblivion. There was NOTHING left, just yellowish gray smoke. There isn’t an adjective that adequately describes just how terrible it smelled. It was kind of a cross between burning tires and burning wood. I quickly placed the pot out on the window ledge and immediately a gale force wind blew every bit of the smoke back into the house. I was worried that a smoke alarm might go off and the Ukrainian fire department show up and want me to either climb out of the window on a ladder or jump out of the window into a net—neither of which I was going to participate in. So I grabbed a towel and began to fan the fumes out of the apartment. Not to worry, no fire alarm sounded because, as Jerry explained to me, the entire building is concrete so they don’t even worry about fires. OH, but they don’t know me very well do they!!! So, bacon turned to ash, eggs still totally out of the question because I still haven’t explained where the feather came from, and cereal $5O dollars a box, I proceeded to option 2—soup in a bag. Yes, that’s right soup in a BAG, not can. There are VERY few canned goods in Ukraine. Most everything is in a sealed bag, kind of like the bags of tuna. I opened the bag of tomato soup and poured it into a container to heat in the microwave—thought I might better stay away from the stove. I carefully put the soup into the microwave, shut the door, set the timer, closed the door and the container inside the microwave literally jumped up, did a double flip, flopped and then turned over!! Soup was everywhere and so were a few tears and lots of yelling. Jerry came running and allowed me to continue to fan gas fumes from the house while he cleaned up the soup. Bless him, then he said those sweet little words I wanted to hear, “Honey, let’s just go out and grab a bite.” I suppose that was the best alternative since Jon couldn’t get any food shoved up into the tiny holes of his gas mask. I got ready and I know Jerry was praying for me because my hair did so good that I didn’t even need a straightner! Meanwhile Jon had actually finished up his math work and so we decided any child that would be willing to do their work in the midst of a near catastrophe deserved to visit the toy store, besides he is getting real homesick and really, really missing his friends. So we headed out to the toy store and to the mall to eat at the cafeteria. Thankful no one had cooked bacon at the cafeteria and the lady that helped us one time before was there again and so we got some really good eats! Jon even had American style French fries. I got to do some window shopping and we decided that we were going on the Metro (subway) by ourselves to Independence Square and to the mall Zoom. When Kiev was the capitol of communist Russia this was the ONLY shopping center that was allowed to run for profit (as told to us by the missionaries) and it is still open. We maneuvered the metro quite well, especially for folks that have never even been on a subway—and I count that as a blessing! We hopped on and waited on the correct stop, hopped off and traveled back up to the surface of the Earth and we were just at the right spot! Today was a great day to be in the Square because schools are out for fall break so lots of families were out and about. We got some great pictures to share with you. We walked to Zoom, did some shopping and headed back home. You know there are just times when you need things. I mean you feel it way, down, deep in your bones. You feel the calling for something and you know you just must get it—that’s right we were craving McDonald’s. Now you know we are feeling the need for some home food. We again “metro-ed” to the correct stop where the McDonald’s is located and we knew that God had a moment for us, God had planned this stop because there were actually 3 EMPTY SEATS & AN OPEN REGISTER!!! What an ordained moment! Jon and I ran to the empty seats, Jerry ran to the counter and within mere minutes we were saying a blessing over 2 Double Cheeseburgers, 9 chicken McNuggets, 3 American style fries, 3 cokes WITH ICE and most importantly (Jerry really splurged on this) 2 packets of ketchup EACH! Can I say that I almost wept as I looked down at that tray. We thanked God for almost 20 minutes for that food. Every Ukrainian in the building was staring at us when we finally said “amen” You would have thought we hadn’t eaten in days the way that food was sucked down. Oh, it was wonderful! God bless McDonald’s!! For a minute it felt like home and the memories of the bacon and soup just melted away. With bellies full and hearts refreshed we headed out to exchange some money only to find that the dollar is doing FANTASTIC! We actually made money which was another encouragement. So home we came and we have decided that tomorrow we need to have a Saturday. Its so nice being the Queen of Everything, by the way this does include the days of the week also. So tomorrow will be Saturday here in our apartment. What that means is no school work, no make-up, no getting out of P.J’s, no laundry, no metro, no walking for miles to get a bottle of water but most importantly… NO BACON!! As our day was coming to a close we called home and all is well. We do worry about everybody and miss you terribly. Prayers for Kaleb Digby who broke his leg in soccer practice and thanksgiving for Jake Phipps’ salvation. Addie Wilson—you are precious and I hear that Parent/Teacher Conference was flawless—wonderful job you guys and thanks so very much. Praying for the Aday’s as they face court themselves and continue to pray for my mom as she has her hands full with all our junk at home. You will be happy to know that Princess Leah, the family turtle, has been moved to larger living quarters due to a filter malfunction. All it took was a Rubbermaid tub and a fishing net and mom even kept all her fingers. We ask for your prayers everyday, but especially on Tuesday of this next week. The day ended on the highest note ever—we talked with Petya. For the first time this is becoming a reality to him. He spoke of going “home to America” and also told us that “he loved us” . Oh, we love him!!!! Well, I am going to get things ready for our day off tomorrow—you know I was wondering, I wonder if it is possible to cook a strip of bacon by running it through the hair straightner? I’ll let you know tomorrow!

The card shark bites the dust!!! October 27, 2008

For all of those that have ever played cards against Jerry Michael, in particular a game called Phase 10, you will be most happy to know that he FINALLY lost a game!! Yes, finally the big Card Shark LOST! Do you hear the gloating. Actually he lost to Jon, but I still feel vindicated! See here is the deal - ever since we were in college a group of us would get together and play cards and without missing a beat Jerry would win, not a few of the games, not many of the games, but all of the games. My best friend Julia and I have been keeping up with his record since 2000, and Jerry has not lost a game since then, but tonight, yes tonight he lost. We know he cheats somehow! Please know that he is holding me at gun point and making me type that he said—Jerry has never cheated. But I know he has somehow and someway! It’s the only explanation. There is no other rational reason. I guess you see that we have been playing cards. We just bummed around the apartment and did 3 loads of laundry and school work today. Since they have turned on the radiators we have extra dryers around the house. The day hasn’t been very news worthy, unless you count having our clothing draped from every radiator an event. So rather than describe the conditions of Jerry’s unmentionables I thought I would share with you a list I have comprised of things you do NOT want to do while in Ukraine. So here goes,  ahhem…

1. Do not attempt to use your straightening iron using an electrical converter. You see, when you plug the straigtener into a European outlet, there are over 220 volts surging through that thing and even if you use a voltage converter it must be set to LOW, not high – low.   With the setting on high the amount of electricity pulsing through that baby can not only fry your hair, it actually melts it. Yes, trust me it MELTS it into nothing. The smell in unpleasant and the gaps that it leaves are quite unsightly. Should you be using The Big Sexy Hairspray it not only melts it but actually sizzles as the melting in occurring. Tommy (my hair stylist) I need an appointment as soon as I get back and oh, I only need half an appointment; you will only need to cut the hair on one side of my head.

2. Do not presume that because it says “freshly ground” on the package that it refers to ground BEEF. Actually it can mean ground anything. Such as chicken, turkey, pork and even a mixture of beef parts. Beef parts fried in onions, garlic and mushrooms do NOT make for good eats especially when what you thought you were making was a tasty, meaty spaghetti sauce. Which brings me to number 3…

3. Do not think that a bottle with a tomato on the front is tomato sauce. The picture of a tomato on the front of a bottle does not necessarily mean that there is tomatoes inside the bottle ALONE. There are words on the bottle as well and even if it looks like tomato, it might be spelling out Bar-B-Q sauce. Now there is a distinction between spaghetti sauce and Bar-B-Q sauce and you CANNOT use them interchangeably. Trust me Bar-B-Q sauce is NOT good over noodles of any type!

4. Do not order a Vegetarian pizza unless you have a desire for green peas and carrots. This pizza does include the usual peppers and onions along with whole kernel corn, diced carrots, green English peas & green beans. So unless you are in need of a V-8, stick to the meat pizzas.

5. Do not attempt to simply plug in any American electronic device using just a outlet converter. See there is this thing called a voltage converter, and if that device isn’t between the outlet converter and the electrical device you are using, well what you get is a wonderful little fireworks show right in the room in which you are standing only inches away from your precious little fingers.

So, to sum things up, there have been many things that I will do differently in the coming days and when I return to Ukraine. But in short, I wouldn’t have missed this trip for the world. There have been so many wonderful moments, precious new friends and this is a trip that I will forever cherish once the left side of my brain begins functioning correctly again. Those 220 volts really pack quite a jolt. Who knows maybe I will write a travelers’ guide to Ukraine when I get home and my fingers heal over! Tomorrow we are headed to the catacombs and some museums. Jon finished up a load of school work and he deserves a day out. Besides I need to buy a hat! Much love from us to you. We miss you and think about you often. Students at MCHS I hope you are behaving because remember that even though I am way over here, God is still watching you! Just a happy reminder! OBC youth we really miss you guys and can’t wait to get home!! Family and friends your prayers are more valuable to us than gold. We are living from day to day with encouragement knowing that you are praying for us. We certainly do love and miss you. Jon sends a big hello to all his classmates and friends at church. He really does miss you guys and is beginning to feel a little lonesome for his buddies. From our side of the world to yours—love and peace!

Full Circle October 26, 2008

Church was awesome and then some! Can I tell you that we really had a special day today. God had so much in store that we are still trying to take it all in!!!! The day started out with the time FALLING BACK AND HOUR! Yes, another hour of sleep and thanks to the sleeping pills I have gotten on a schedule and I am weaning myself off of them. Marsha and Tim Judy, the IBM missionaries that are forever etched in our hearts, picked us up for church and off we went. Traffic was really light today so the ride was great. We went to New Life Church. Now let me explain this. They have 2 services, one in Ukrainian and one in Russian. We went to the Russian service, but we wouldn’t have known the difference. Their church would have about as many on Sundays as Oakland. These people know how to worship and we were very impressed with their praise band of a trumpet, sax, trombone, percussion, 2 key boards, 4 lead singers and a back up choir. Oh, the 4 lead singers were all color coordinated with the scarves that the choir wore. I found out later that they have different colors for different Sundays! The praise team was fantastic and they are truly talented!!! They even sang a few songs we recognized and we just joined right in there. As for the congregation, there was a variety of clothing from jeans to suits as well as ages ranging from the oldest to the newborn. The neatest thing was that they were meeting in a public building that was an assembly hall. This was a moment that I pray I will never forget. Please remember that at one time Kiev was the capitol of communist Russia, which denounced Christianity and its practices and even forbade its people to worship. As we were singing and clapping and praising TOGETHER I thought about my childhood and the stories I would hear about our brothers and sisters in Christ (located in Russia) there were not allowed to worship and how they met in spite of the regulations, risking their lives to worship together and how moved I was at the strength of these people. We prayed for these people and that God would free them to worship Him. Then it hit me, there I stood with them, at that very moment some of the people that obviously lived during those times were standing only feet from me with raised hands and voices to the ONE TRUE GOD AND OUR SAVIOUR and we were singing together. What a moment all I could think of was the moment on the Mount of Transfiguration when Peter said, “It is good for us to be here.” I was so humbled and moved to see the fullness of God in that moment as a building that once denied the very existence of God that now served as a church for His worship! I just inhaled every moment of the experience as I looked to see all the faces of those that we had prayed for over the years and witnessed the fulfillment of God to His promises. Oh, let us not forget to pray for those around this world that cannot worship in freedom, because we have a God that specializes in freedom and He is true to His promises! The service was amazing and quite like home. We had the benefit of having a translator through an FM radio and headset, but didn’t need it for part of the service as an American was a guest speaker! He had been in Kiev over the week leading in a church conference and his devotion was on one of the psalms that I hold on to as a promise from God directly to me and that is Psalm 37. Just another one of those moments that are sprinkled in our lives to remind us that God is personal and that He is intimate with our hearts as singular individuals. This psalm is my prayer for me and my family while we are in Ukraine processing the adoption. Ps. 37: 3– 6 “Trust in the LORD and do what is good; dwell in the land and live securely. Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you your heart’s desires. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust in Him, and He will act making your righteousness shine like the dawn, your justice line the noonday.” Those moments when you know God has directed everything for you are those moments that I treasure. Then if that were not enough, I looked down at my seat. Now, please know that for years I have had the nickname “the Queen”. I suppose that it is my grace and charm! Please no emails stating why you think that is my nickname—the internet can’t hold them. But, I looked down at my seat. Marsha had led us to our seats, I did not pick them out and the place could seat hundreds. As I looked down at my seat, there written on the tag that numbered the seats, were the words all in English—The Queen. Now tell me what is the likelihood of being 9000 miles away from home, in a foreign country with an entirely different language, in a church we have never been to in a public building with 1000’s of people in and out on a row I didn’t select in a seat I didn’t choose would be the words that have been used to recognize me for years. I know it may not be much to you, but to me it was like God had just placed His hand on my shoulder to remind me He knew exactly where I was and He cared for every part of it! Service was directed toward the parable of the servants with talents and how we are to use EVERY resource we have to sow into eternity. I was pricked about my use of time. Part of the sermon was about the fact that everyone, irregardless of ability, wealth, health, or any other asset all had one thing in common—24 hours a day and that time was a common asset to everyone to be used in such a way as to sow seeds for eternity. I hope to let that be a guide in my decision making as to how I will spend my time. It was great and at the end of the service we prayed for a toddler boy that had a mysterious fever. I ask you to lift this boy, Author, up in your prayers tonight. We concluded the service and headed to lunch for yet another special treat. Marsha had been given the name of a pizza place that was great and we set out to find it. It took some searching, but we located it and headed in and ordered. We noticed some other English speakers sitting close, but as it seemed like a family meal we hesitated on interrupting. After they finished they came over to see where we were from and low and behold—it was Dr. Pepion, his wife, daughter and son-in-law. Now this is a family serving in Ukraine among the medical community. Our adoption agency is very familiar with the Pepions and their work here. Marsha and Tim got to make some contacts as part of Tim’s ministry is to mobilize Christian Ukrainian business men into action. Their daughter and son-in-law were celebrating an anniversary as they are precious newlyweds. They all send their love to everyone they know. It was wonderful to met them and hopefully we will have some time to talk to them about their ministry in this area. After lunch we returned to the apartment and Jon and I decided to stay in because his stomach has been a bit unsettled for the day and Jerry joined Ben and Tonya at their church tonight. He was so moved at the precious church they are helping to establish and felt so welcomed. As he watched a video about a recent church trip he noticed a familiar face—Nasta! She was the translator that came the on the first trip when we met Petya. After church he sought her out and sure enough she and her husband are attending church there. She asked what child we were hoping to adopt and she remembered him because of his beautiful eyes and said that she had continued to pray for him to have a family!!! What a complete circle—I worshiped with people that I had prayed for and she worshiped with people that she had prayed for. Won’t heaven be glorious as we look around and share eternity together. I still say that one of the best parts of heaven will be the togetherness! What a full day and we are still taking it all in. What a God, I wish I had the words to adequately express His beautifulness and fullness. We are sending love to you at home and please lift up these people in prayers; may we never fail to pray for our brothers and sisters around the world. Love and hugs from us to you and praying that you have some God moments all your own!

Kiev on a Saturday October 25, 2008

Well, we didn’t get to go to Chernobyl.  We are a little disappointed, but at least tomorrow we will get to go to church!!!!!  The transportation to Chernobyl was limited so we declined.  Hopefully they will have some great stories to share with us.  Tomorrow we are going to church where they do offer English translation and we are excited about that.  Today we just bummed around town, hit the Mega Market, visited the mall and watched Mr. Bean’s Holiday.  The city is very different on the weekends than week days.  You see MANY more families out with their children, many older people, and traffic is light.  Several streets in Kiev are actually closed down so most walk or take the metro.  Most everyone is shopping, and from the looks of the buggies at the grocery store, they plan for big weekends.  Lots of folks buying steaks, fish, and items that give the impression that a party will soon begin.  Oh, and today you can actually hear the bands that are set up in the town squares.  Strangely they play a lot of 1980’s rock music.  People are much more friendly and the pace is slower.  We stopped off at a mall to eat at a cafeteria and do some window shopping.  The highlight was that I had my first encounter with a “squatty potty”.  Let’s just say that I lost that grivnea!  Today has mostly been resting and relaxing around the apartment and doing some clothes washing.  The washer is actually smaller than a mop bucket so you have to wash a few things at a time.  Also it sticks on certain settings and you have to remember to go back and give it some “encouragement”.  The dryer, well it is actually a collapsible clothes rack in the kitchen with a space heater under it for added heat.  Don’t worry mother, the heater won’t even get as hot as my hair dryer and we never leave it on at night or when we are gone.  We have figured out that if you shut the door to the kitchen to trap in the heat you can get washcloths dry in 4 hours, towels in half a day, blue jeans in 2 days, and socks and undies in about 6 hours.  Our kitchen looks like a laundromat.  Cooking can be a challenge because the clothes rack spreads the length of the kitchen.  As for how everyone is doing, well Jon is still stalking us in his Russian gas mask.  He loves scaring me with that thing.  I am just enjoying my time with the boys and I do love to window shop, Jerry is about to jump out of his skin.  He is ready to have all of us together and be working on completing the adoption.  I think he is spreading it to me also!  The days that allow us some down time are the hardest for him.  He is a very laid back guy, but when it comes to having a goal in sight he likes to over achieve and that is just not going to happen here.  But he is doing good with everything and actually tried some Ukrainian food today – big step!!  He has also learned how to make sweet tea!!!!  We are drinking that stuff by the gallon!  So many of you have wanted to know what sort of things are different here and so I will end this blog with a little list of things we have noticed about the differences.

cashiers are seated rather than standing when they check you out

you bag all your own stuff

you don’t have a bag, you pay for one

cars park on the sidewalks

a huge amount of the streets are made of bricks not asphalt

the fish selection is HUGE

most foods are sweeter to the taste; never very spicy

McDonald’s is always packed out with teens and young adults and they have a walk-up instead of a drive-thru

A LOT of Ukrainians speak some English

Nobody uses ice in drinks

NO SQUIRRELS

Every woman has on HIGH heels, that are black or white

most shoes are narrow and pointed

Nobody pays attention to red lights

you can buy cigarettes one at a time or buy the pack

people whisper as they go down the street

nobody wears t-shirts

road signs are different shapes and colors – stop is a round blue sign with a white x

malls are underground

Nestle quick drink mix is more expensive than another drink

Everybody gets fresh flowers

fur coat stores are everywhere

flowers in even numbers are for death and flowers in odd numbers for love

the person in charge of the building decides when your radiator gets turned on and there is no thermostat

to turn on light switches you press down instead of up

all light switches are large and flat, not switch like

all electrical outlets are singular

lots of curbside fruit and veggie stands run by women not men

everybody seems to be more cold natured than us – already wearing hats, gloves, scarves; we are in a lot less

everybody has multiple cell phones

wedding rings are worn on the right hand not the left

Well, that’s what we can think of now…  Hope you all have a great weekend and hope you enjoy church on Sunday.  Hey to all the OBC youth!!  Love and miss ya.  Let us know how things are going at home!

Keep the prayers coming and hopefully by next week we will be heading into phase 2 of the adoption!

Son, why do you want a Russian gas mask? October 24, 2008

Mom, will this fit?

PERFECT!

O.K. so we have had a fantastic day today!! TOTALLY GREAT! The wonderful Marsha (IMB missionary we met) took us on an absolutely wonderful tour of parts of the city, and into the market to buy some souvenirs, and just a wonderful day. I can’t begin to tell you all about everything… I will hit the highlights!

• All the pics of the day can be found at this site http://williamsukrainianadoptionphotos.shutterfly.com

1. Jan woke up at 9am – this was the first important milestone in our journey and perhaps for many of you a true miracle. Yes, I did arise bright tailed and bushy eyed at 9 am! Thanks to the Ukrainian version of a sleeping pill. Oh, honey let me tell you these people know how to make a sleeping pill! It is basically the same stuff that is added to Alka Seltizer Night cold medicine to make you sleep. IT WORKS!!! I took the pill, after Jerry stopped begging, well actually I didn’t swallow a pill, it had to be mixed with water. I need a t-shirt that says “I took my first mixed drink in Urkaine!” WIthin about 30 minutes my body relaxed, I swam to the bed (at least that’s what it felt like to me) and I don’t remember anything after that exept that at one point I thought I needed to go to the bathroom, but my bladder was so relaxed nothing happened and thank goodness cause I was still in the BED! So I was able to wake up in all my beauty and glory at 9am and even brushed my teeth.

2. We rode the Funicular – Basically this is a tram that takes you up to the top of one of the highest peaks in the city where St. Andrews cathedral is located along with the outdoor souvenir market. This tram is over 100 years old, just like my mom, and it still works, just like my mom! See old things are useful (Hey girls from the south I thought you would enjoy that one)! There are 2 trams and the railway splits in the middle as one goes up the other comes down. There were also some beautiful stained glass windows along the arches of the building. Jon loved the tram and so did I because it meant that my hips didn’t have to go up a literal mile of stairs.

3. We shopped (a.k.a. price haggled) along the markets beside St. Andrews – you really need to be with someone that shops there frequently because those guys really know how to make a deal! Most of them speak English and they mean to do business and they like to haggle the price. Now my dad would have never haggled over the price, but I still have a difficult time convincing mom that you can’t haggle prices at the mall. I asked the price of one of the items and the seller said “Oh, around 50 grivneas.” I frowned and begin to ever so slightly turn away and immediately he said “But for you I make a deal.” Ah, its great to be known worldwide as the queen. Prices are NOT set in stone and often the price will change just because you say you are going to go and look across the street! It was so much fun especially with Jerry who was too busy trying to figure out how much money I was spending in US dollars! Roughly 100 grivnea is about 20 US dollars – Hey I was a big spender and Jerry still doesn’t know it!!!!!!

4. We saw a Ukrainian wedding – O.k. so let me explain this, because we didn’t crash a wedding. In Ukraine to be LEGALLY married you MUST be married in a government building. This means you go and have a short ceremony to handle the legal side of things. Well, they only do marriages on certain days. So the street is lined up with all these couples getting legally married on the days they are open to do so. Often couples will do the LEGAL ceremony and then several weeks later they will have the actual wedding party. Sometimes they do the two on the same day. It is a BIG TIME event. After the wedding the family and invited friends go ALL over the city getting photographs made. Often the couple goes by limo and the family in a caravan of following cars. Well, we were going into St. Andrew’s to look around when we notice all these people standing around this priest and then we notice – hey we’ve crashed a wedding ceremony! There was a sign on the door, but none of us knew how to read it! We go back out and wait for the bridal party to leave. Well, you know me, I love a party so I just hang around with the family and friends on the outside like I am one of the guests and when the couple and the priest step out I just start snapping pictures like the rest. I got some good ones too until Jerry began to roll his eyes and make these strange noises like he is embarrassed or something. I was just nodding and smiling like everyone else! It was really sweet and the couple looked so happy. Oh, funny moment here – At the foot of the cathedral there is this statue of a beautiful woman with a man on bended knee that is obviously proposing. On the man’s back pocket there is a cricket. People getting married and their guests come by the statue and rub the cricket for good luck. Jon sees the statue and says “Mom, why are they going by that guy and rubbing his rear end?” Ahhhh, life from a child’s eye. Then we pulled Jerry away cause he was buffing the shine off the cricket and walked on.

5. We went into St. Andrew’s cathedral where Jerry got in trouble! – The cathedral is very ornate and I was taking lots of pictures. Most women were covering their heads with scarves and many were going to pray. I was amazed at the architecture. Monitoring everything was a woman and she was watching everything closely. I was a tad bit concerned that my picture taking was not allowed, but thought I could get in a few before she stopped me. She politely walked up to me and said something like “Marsh-shu?” and pointed to Jerry. I thought she was asking me if he was mushy and I said “Yes!” Well, she walked up to Jerry and politely asked him to remove his cap! Can you believe that he has embarrassed the whole family like he did! Really I was glad cause she was dealing with him so that meant more pictures for me. Besides, he should know better – no hats in the building per Bear Bryant! We left shortly after cause Jerry was having a REALLY bad hair day!!!

6. We went to Independence Square – These people know how to make a square!! It is massive and there is sooooo much to look at and do. There is the statue of Michael the Archangel – who is the patron saint of Ukraine. There is also the Independence Statue. The longest this people group has ever been free from another’s rule is 20 years. Ukraine is the largest of the independent European States. They really have a nation to be proud of and I hope the precious people are trying to retain their rich history and culture. They have been independent since 1991, if I am correct. They truly are a new nation, and it is amazing to watch as they build their nation. I pray that the influence that we as Americans have is not negative although many of the American influences that I see here are negative and worldly. Church we have a responsibility to reach out to these people and help them to develop their faith in the ONE TRUE GOD and now the door is open, now is the time as they are seeking to set the basis for what will be their nation’s heritage. That’s what these IMB missionaries are trying to do – establish the church and strengthen the ones already here. This job in Ukraine is different from other areas of the world in that to do this task really requires the building of relationships which can be a lengthy process. The forms of evangelism for this people group is much different than other parts of the world. For them true friendship is very important and that takes time. If I recall correctly Jesus spent a little time with a man named Zacchaeus didn’t he? I believe that he went to his home and dined with him. These people are warm and loving and friendship is precious and real. I pray that we won’t let the opportunity to be involved in the start of a nation’s faith system fail. Now, that opinion didn’t cost you a cent. You got that all for free. They have erected a gorgeous statue at Independence Square in honor of Ukraine’s first 10 years as a nation. It is really beautiful. There is also a HUGE underground shopping plaza. Its more than a mall – its mall heaven! There is EVERYTHING under there. You would never know it existed except for these glass domes that jut out on the square. On the weekend the streets are closed down to traffic and people come out and have bands, dancing, selling stuff – a real street party! I am going to set up a dancing booth this weekend and see if I can raise any money to go and do some shopping – it is my secret plan to get Jerry to just give in and give me some more funds because there is a great purse shop that I found!

We actually stopped at several other stores, ate at some great restaurants, and had a wonderful day. The history of this area is truly rich. We are going back to the catacombs and several other museums within the building. We are also planning on going to the zoo, and maybe the circus. We found a movie theater that show films in English and Sunday we are going to church.

Our day ended with making plans for Sunday and parting ways with Marsha. Please pray for them as they will be traveling to another area of Ukraine for the next week or so to help with a church plant. These people have a heart for God and the people of Ukraine. Lift them up in your prayers. On our way back to the apartment Jon wanted to stop at a WONDERFUL coffee house. We think that in English it is Chocolat (Brennons I think this was your favorite place) – and I have never had a better caramel cappichino in my life! If I come up missing – that is where I can be found!

Oh, yeah, the gas mask. So we are shopping along the street at St. Andrew’s and looking at all these neat things. Everything, they have everything that screams Ukraine! Jerry and Jon had been looking at things while I was doing some price haggling. I finished my shopping and asked Jon, “Honey, baby, sweet, gentle child of mine, is there anything you want to take back with you to remember this wonderful opportunity and time you have had in Ukraine.” His response – “YEAH, I want that Russian gas mask over there.” Turns out that Jon had spotted and tried on for size, an old Russian army gas mask, complete with carry case and everything! What parent wouldn’t be thrilled for their child to own their very own Russian gas mask! I said “Son, what in the world would you want with this horrible looking thing!” He really looks like a bald headed, elephant with a crick in its trunk, alien in that thing. His response, “Well mother… (get the tone here) if anyone asks if I have a gas mask, I can say yes, yes I do.” Can’t argue with that logic. So we completed the ensemble with a Russian army hat complete with pin!

O.K. so the picture problem is finally solved…I think October 24, 2008

I think I finally have solved the picture problem – really, really, I think I do so don’t give up on me… I really think this will work and you don’t have to send me your email address you can just check out the website!!

Try this on for size   http://williamsukrainianadoptionphotos.shutterfly.com/

Hope you enjoy!!!

Just another day… or so we thought October 23, 2008

Yesterday started out just like any other day.  Jerry up at the crack of dawn.  I was snoozing late and Jon was going between us both.  Jerry got a call.  Let me explain his answering practice.  We have two phones – one that is American and one that is Ukrainian.  Now we ONLY get calls on the Ukrainian phone.  The American phone is what Jerry uses as his watch, and thus he keeps this phone with him in his pocket.  The Ukrainian phone, the one that we use, the one that others call us on, the one that works, the one that is IMPORTANT, well it stays various places.  Basically where ever Jerry leaves it, which is usually the bathroom.  Back to the story.  The phone rings – who knows where it is.  We begin searching, then we pray for God to lead us to the phone, by now we are thinking about sacrificing some bacon so see if we can locate it when Jon finds it UNDER some of JERRY’S STUFF.  Now Jerry in the mean while, has decided that the constant ringing phone will be an asset in getting me out of bed so he has jumped into the shower – and yes, left the phone RINGING!  I, being the queenly person that I am, decided if he ain’t worried, neither am I and  promptly covered my ears with the huge feather pillow and dozed right back to sleep.  Poor Jon was the only one being annoyed with the ringing and thankful the two of us had a normal child and he found the phone and took it to JERRY!  Yes, he knows his mama and her love for sleep.  So who called – our guardian angel!  Ben and his precious wife Tonya were coming into the city for some business and Tonya wanted to meet us and show us around a little bit.  So plans were made and I actually got up before it was afternoon.  I can’t tell you how much Tonya helped us.  Oh, she is fantastic!!!!  Ben and Sasha are so blessed to have her.  Now don’t get me wrong, the two guys are great and have helped us, but Tonya – well she is first of all, and most importantly a FEMALE, secondly, she is a MOM and thirdly she is a TEACHER!  I loved her!!!  She is so patient and kind.  She showed us TONS of great places and even a MALL!  Can you hear Jerry cringing!  She even took us on the (dadadadadadadada) METRO.  What is the Metro you silly Americans ask.  Well the Metro is their version of a subway.  They have three lines; red, blue and green.  These lines can take you ALL OVER Kiev.  The problem – we don’t speak or READ the language.  So Tonya helped us learn how to use the map and the symbols!  Basically you take an escalator (praise the Lord) down, down, down, down, down, down to the center of the Earth where the Metros run.  You purchase a token for less than a few cents and you go and wait on one to arrive. Once one arrives you push everyone else out of your way and trample anyone that doesn’t move and you get on hoping to find a seat (which doesn’t happen) and GRAB onto the rail above you head and HANG ON!  It’s like riding Space Mountain at Disney.  Sort of dark, really fast, and you think you left your stomach back at the station.  Jon just giggled all the way!  Then you hear some Russian that tells you at which stop you have arrived and you if it is yours you get into your triple threat stance (for you sill girls that don’t know football you get like a football player) and you plow through the people that are pushing you to get on the train.  I wish you could have seen the faces of those mass-challenged Ukrainians when Jerry, Jan and Jon were getting off the train!!! Needless to say we were , and shall remain to be, the first on and off any train we choose to ride.  If it had been bowling, Jerry would have yelled – STRIKE!  He took out at least 12 people and poor Jon was being dragged by me cause I was afraid he might get left behind – it had to look just like when Samson took out some Philistines with the jaw bone of a donkey!  Anyway, we are now Metro ready and have some new adventures planned.  So the day was rolling right along as normal and we decided to eat at a restaurant that Tonya showed us – a Ukrainian restaurant that is a cafeteria style so you can just point and grab.  We headed in, took our place in line and got a tray full of Ukrainian goodness.  Finally some true food from this region!  It was quite tasty.  Jon had the national soup – borscht along with fried potatoes and chicken and rice.  Very traditional and very good.  I had a white fish fillet, borscht and a cabbage slaw mixture.  It wasn’t slaw like at home it was more of cabbage, sugar and vinegar, but it was good.  Jerry, well being the adventurer that he is (please read this with sarcasm because he hasn’t even changed his hairstyle since he was born) got mashed potatoes, fried pork chop and bread.  Yes, way to go Jerry – experience the culture!  Ok, so this is where the normal takes a turn for the abnormal.  As we sat and gobbled down our goodies, this couple arrived.  Immediately I decided they were AMERICANS! How did I know, simple deduction dear Watson!  First, they had on clothing of COLOR!  She had on a red sweater and he had a blue shirt!  Secondly, they had purchased a Diet Coke and a sweet tea!  Third, her hair wasn’t blonde, brown, red or purple!  Fourth, no cigarettes!  And lastly, they were reading  the boys Mississippi State  shirts!  They sat down to eat and we finished up eating.  I suggested that we go over and speak and Jerry said what if they don’t understand us, and I said well who does around here and so we ventured over.  The long and short of it…  In a city of more than  5 million people, with thousands of streets, with thousands of restaurants, with hundreds of places to go we had “bumped into” a couple that were from North Carolina and were IMB Baptist Missionaries that were stationed in Kiev!  Jerry and I had talked the night before about how we had hoped that God would allow us to find someone that we could link with to do some youth mission trips to Ukraine.  We also wanted find some opportunity to serve while we are here.  Could this be a God moment – you bet!  This meeting is more than circumstance and it was also God’s way of showing us why we had to come earlier.  He needed us to be here to help with a missions opportunity that is occurring this weekend!!!  The couple are Tim and Marsha Judy and they are in Ukraine through the IMB Master’s Program that is funded by LOTTIE MOON!!!  They took us to their office where we met another missionary that happens to be friends with some of our friends – the Underwoods – small world to a BIG GOD!  My heart was leaping out of my chest as I realized how good God is and how he cares for us on such an individual basis!  I am still overwhelmed at the ability of our God to move in our circumstances.  We talked and chatted and they are going to help us on Sunday to go to church with English translation and a praise band!  I am so excited that I might get up!  Today I am helping Jon with some schoolwork and Jerry has gone to a prayer walk with Tim and Marsha.  On Saturday we are going to one of the places that I truly wanted to see because I my science background.  We are going to an oblast (like a village) close to the Chernobyl nuclear facility that overheated years ago.  When I was a kid it was all over the news.  There are areas that we are not allowed to go to because of safety concerns with radiation.  The area we are going to safe so don’t call mama we aren’t going to take Jon anywhere he can get hurt.  We told our facilitator where we were going and he FREAKED OUT!  He said, “You know that is the area with the radiation!”  With some additional explanation he calmed down as Jerry told him we were going to an area that was totally safe!  Jerry called it Sheer-novel!  He is so cute when he is learning to talk.  I can hardly type because of the excitement!  God is really doing a lot in our lives right now that is on a very intimate and personal level.  Jon is falling in love with traveling and I am thrilled.  He has even said that he wants to do missions when he can, and then he realized that he WAS doing missions right now!  He is pumped about Saturday.  Please lift us all up in prayer as we go and minister to these individuals that time has forgotten.  If you have the opportunity please read about the Chernobyl meltdown and the effect it had and is still having in those areas.  We can’t wait until we can tell you all about that adventure.  So what’s on the agenda today, well more school work, a visit to the cafeteria, and maybe another sightseeing adventure.  Thanks to Tonya’s advice we are shopping for goodies tomorrow at St. Andrews.  This is a woman after my own heart!  I should have lots of pics.  I still can’t believe it, in a city of more than 5 million we meet Tim and Marsha at a restaurant – can you hear it, God laughing with delight.  That had to be one of those moments that Christ sang over us.
More tomorrow… sending you love from our family and thanking you continuously for your prayers!