Fall Beauty

Fall has never been my favourite season because it has always symbolized death and dying right before winter. This fall has been different. I feel like I have had time to appreciate the colors, smells, and the events that bring people together. These two beautiful ladies above are friends that I have had the privilege of getting to know through Purdue and International Center programs. Pinthip (in purple) is from Thailand and in the Ph.D. Food Science program at Purdue. Laleh (her lab partner) is from Iran and sometimes attends my English conversation class. They are both kind and generous women. I am praying for them both and will invite them to my house for Thanksgiving.

Last weekend I took them to a bonfire/cookout hosted by a local West Lafayette church. It was held out in the woods by a creek. The fall colors were gorgeous and we all got to meet other International Students and their host families. Laleh got to experience S'mores for the first time. Its fun to watch people have fun with something as simple as toasting a marshmallow. I am praying about joining ISI, the organization my dad has been with since I was 11 yrs old. I love Int'l students and its such a great opportunity to reach out to them in our back yard while they are here studying. Pray with me for the people from all over the world that come to Purdue to study.

I am not a Country Bumpkin.

Despite what many of you may think since I moved to "Waynetown" Indiana/the middle of nowhere, I am not a country Bumpkin. I have tried to get into the farming way of life with gardening and digging trees with this painful contraption called, "the tree toad". I have tried to delight myself in the wonder of creation, so much so that I forget the future High fructose corn syrup fields surrounding me, or the smell of manure. It is beautiful, don't get me wrong. But my soul craves culture of another kind. Even just the simple international venues in Lafayette. I regularly see people from other cultures and am cultivating friendships with several of them. Even just the fact I can get sushi and Thai food there, instead of the local bar's special, "Rocky Mountain Oysters". I am pretty gutsy when it comes to trying new foods, but bulls testicles just don't even tempt me... call me crazy.

I enjoy the fresh fruits and veggies tremendously! I am very thankful for my parents willingness to take me in during this time of transition, but maybe it would be best just to visit. I knew the hardest part about the whole transition would be living here, w/ my family. I knew this.... and yet here I am, asking for it. God is preparing me for something unique and different. I wish He would hurry up and tell me. He is often not in the all fire hurry that I am. I want to learn so I can move on... literally! I feel like I have no purpose here. Ok, this has turned into a whining session. I'm sorry, I'm done.

Desert Full of Grain

Why are you hungry in a desert full of grain?
Why are you thirsty in the rain?
Be still and Know,
that I am God
Be still and Know,
that I am the Lord.
I will be exalted.
I will be high and lifted up.
No matter what you do,
no matter what you don't do,
I will be All, and that's all you need.

Your cup is running over,
your plate is piled high.
Look at my words and you will see
my fingers in your life.
Why are you hungry,
and why do you thirst?
Can't you see,
or are you blind?
Can't you hear, feel, and know,
know the truth?

Why are you hungry in a desert full of grain?
Why are you thirsty in the rain?
Be still!

A Step Back?

I just got a job last week working in a local coffee shop in Lafayette, IN. This job is the first job I have really enjoyed since working at the YMCA in high school :) I am currently volunteering at the International Center at Purdue, teaching an English class with my dad and another volunteer. The class starts next week. I will start to be busy once I am working 4-5days a week and teaching twice a week. I feel like I am taking a step back because of my current pay and living situation with the parents. I am praying that God would make it obvious what I need to do next. I have at least 5 different ideas bouncing around in my head at once. The hardest part is being still and listening to what God wants me to hear... not even what he wants me to do. I am at a loss. I don't know how to proceed. I have done all the website searching and "recruiter-talking" I want to do. He knows.

life

There seems to be an amazing trend in life.... its called "consistent inconsistency". Yes, its also called an oxymoron. My life is riddled with it. I have decided to take a pole amongst my peeps. This is a very important question.
Do you have any suggestions for me as far as what I should do or what mission organization to check into? Please comment or email me with any thoughts. I shall await them with the greatest anticipation.
I am up for just about anything. I am currently looking for a part time/full time job while I wait on the Lord. I mostly need to spend a lot of time in prayer. But I don't want my life style to become inactive.

I cry out to the Lord! What will you have me do? I am listening... help me to listen.

The Corn Fields

my nephew Lincoln, enjoying some wicked HFCS on his first birthday!

There are many possibilities for corn. Its sad that fuel was not discovered until recently and we had to content ourselves with HFCS (high fructose corn syrup-a different and much more frightening source of fuel). I even created an anti-HFCS club of which the membership rate is skyrocketing. Actually, for a limited time only, I will be accepting new members for the incredible discount of $19.99 a month (plus tax). You will receive a free news letter in the mail and a t-shirt that reads... "Down with HFCS! My mind, body, soul and spirit are deathly allergic to the toxic syrupy madness."

Seriously, corn fields can grow as tall as 12ft and some even as much as 14ft, which are entered into local fairs. why talk about Indiana's most grown crop? because it is what i see every day. its what i drive through, wake up to, taste, feel, smell. yikes, you might say. Yes, but among the corn hides tiny little communities of friendly neighbors and small youth ministries. Churches that give a significant amount of their small budget to missions.

For some reason, my entire immediate family has chosen this spot in the corn to settle down. A couple times a week, when the corn starts to get to us we can go up to Lafayette for some culture. I have become involved in the International Student Center at Purdue and have befriended an Egyptian woman and her husband, who is studying to become a Vet. It is a gift from God, as they are expecting their first baby and need help with the language. I am excited to learn more about their culture and help my friend with English.

I was showing off my pictures to my small groupies and I realized how much i missed my church in Ukraine. These are pictures of saying goodbye at the train station. They literally walked our train out of the station, crying and waving and blowing kisses.






i was humbled by the love shown to me in such a gentle way. This next picture is my beloved Kristina. Kristina was my friend first, translator second and always ready for a good joke. I have more pictures taken by her then me, i think :) I miss you Kristinka.


Natasha was my Ukrainian Princess friend and translator for several breastfeeding classes. She was one of Pam's first clients and friends in Ukraine. I made her step out of her comfort zone a little and dance with me at a party. To get me back, she decided to smear eye liner and pink lipstick on my face in the appearance of a feline horror creature.
Ira my gentle, quiet spirit. she reminded me of myself on my shy and quiet days:) She is a very talented blooming percussionist and one of the most generous people I know. I miss my Irichka.

Babushka Lida! Our faithful grandma and cook. She made the best borsht ever! I know how to make it now, so maybe I will invite people over for some good ole Ukrainian food! She gave the best hugs! I miss our little Russlish conversations. She humbled me more then anyone. Isn't she beautiful?!