A series of Christmases

This season went by in a whirlwind of pain and joy. The loss of our friend definitely changed our perspective this holiday season. Despite the grief we felt, we put our hope in the writings of Paul to the Corinthians:

“When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

“O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?”

 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to G*d, who gives us the victory through our L*rd Gsus Chr!st. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, alwaysabounding in the work of the L*rd, knowing that in the L*rd your labor is not in vain.”  (1 Cor. 15-54-58)

Despite the difficulties we were also able to celebrate with all of the usual Christmas festivities. In fact I did about two weeks straight of baking!

Here are a couple new recipes I tried out this month:

By far my new favorite Christmas cookie: Chocolate Chip Peppermint Crunch Cookies

Another good one: Candy Cane Blossoms

I also tried out an idea that I have seen before, but never done myself, for Christmas Gifts this year:

My Russian Teacher loved hers!!

Curtis said that I am not allowed to Bake or entertain again till Valentine’s Day! I agree that I will probably not bake on a large scale till about Valentine’s Day, maybe just here and there for pure joy and nothing more!

So, what did I do all this baking for anyway? You wouldn’t believe the amount of gatherings that we had this season!

First we had a gathering with all of the expats in town to sing Christmas Carols and just be together corporately for Christmas.

Then we had our annual Student’s Christmas Party. I will tell you, it might have been the last time we do it here. It felt like a little too much this year and since we have so many friends now, and we have the café in the English Center, we might just have our friends over next year and do a small party for our students in the Café.

Despite the difficulty, the party was fun, we did a gift exchange, ate lots of sweets and even got to share the story of the very first Christmas 

That was the Sunday before Christmas, and the week before Christmas was filled with many more festivities with friends, co-workers and teammates.

On Thursday we had a work party, we ate good food and our “Secret Angels” were revealed. It is basically the same thing as Secret Santa. It was a lot of fun.

That afternoon we made sugar cookies with our students. I prepared the dough and frosting ahead of time and they rolled them out and decorated them. It was a lot of fun, but also a lot of work!

On Friday we fed the homeless as a part of our monthly service program that we call “Prosto Tak.” It is basically something that we do each month to serve the community “Prosto Tak” – which translated directly means “simply so,” or because we can.

On Saturday (Christmas Eve) we had another gathering with our team. We all brought something to give to Gsus for his Birthday. It is a really special tradition that we have been a part of since we came here. I brought my earbuds (headphones) because I want to spend more time in silence before Gsus, listening to Him. Curtis brought his Calendar because he wants to give him his plans and his days. He has been extremely busy and knows that it will continue as he continues to work on the curriculum for his new class, but he wants direction from our Father in how to spend his days, busy or not.

Saturday night, Christmas Eve, we had some of our closest local friends over. It was another opportunity to share the Christmas story and just relax with friends. It was a real blessing and far from stressful. It was probably the most relaxing gathering of all besides the one on Christmas Day 

We had lots of gifts to open because we received two packages before Christmas, one for Chris (Curtis’ Mom) and one from my sister Tara.

Curtis and I also exchanged gifts, we both got a little creative this year. He made me an ornament and I made him some nifty coupons.

We had to wait a couple more days for my sister Angela and my mom’s package to come, but when it did, we had a second Christmas!

We also hosted Christmas dinner for the very first time, which wasn’t as stressful as I thought it might be. It was a simple chicken pesto pasta dinner since we had turkey and pork the day before. I also made Guthrie salad, carrots and garlic bread and for dessert we had pumpkin pie with real homemade whipped cream!

We didn’t have a white Christmas, the snow came late, but boy did it come! We got a dumping of snow last night! It looks like New Year’s will be white, which is special for the people here since New Year’s is their special holiday 

This season was crazy, but truly a blessing because we were able to really enjoy those around us and not focus too much on the sadness we felt at times. Though we miss you all dearly, we do feel blessed to have those that G*d placed in our lives here. These people are very special to us and we are truly grateful for the beauty and the support of the body around us and back at home as well.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!

A dear friend

It’s been two weeks now since our worlds seemed to be turned upside down by events that for a while we were unable to talk about, but when we were given the permission I just felt too tired to think about it, write about, share about it. And to be honest, I just didn’t know what to say, nothing can really sum up the way that this has affected us. But I will try nonetheless.

Also the fact that we had the responsibility of sharing this terrible news with so many people in our city left me with little energy to share with friends at home. Because of the sensitivity of the situation, for a few days when people asked how we were doing, we had to smile and say, “I am doing good.”  We would quickly ask them how they were doing and try to focus on their life.

It still doesn’t feel real. Even though I have told so many people about it, talked about it hundreds of times and turned it over and over in my mind even more times. I had trouble sleeping at first. I couldn’t believe the repercussions of this event, but as things were happening it all made sense.

On Friday December 2^nd an American friend of ours, a 23-year-old young man, died under unknown circumstances.

I can’t share much else about the situation at this point, but I can say that we are not in any danger, we are just very sad. Mourning the loss of our young friend, at times wondering why, at times seeing a little light in the midst of a dark situation.

I know that Dad is stirring something in the young people here. It has been painful and difficult to try to focus on that. But I know that is the reality. It just seems confusing to me that he would allow so many of his workers in this city to be taken out of a place where the students are so hungry for the truth.

This young man was so special. He was outgoing and loving towards everyone that he met. He was always encouraging and filled with joy. After talking to many students about our friend, we have begun to see what an impact his life has had on them even though he was only here for a little over a year. I just wish he could have been here longer. In my selfishness, I even wish that we had had more time with him while he was here.

I try not to think too much in that way, to understand that Dad is always going to work things for the good of those who love Him. I have so much more peace now than I did before. I went through many feelings of anger and frustration, so many times asking “Why?” I know Dad is here, I have seen Him working, taking care of His people and giving us the strength to support our friend’s team and to do what is needed to help them in this black time.

I have felt devastated, distressed, depressed and downcast. I have wanted to scream, run away, wake up from this nightmare or just close my eyes and make it all go away.  I have felt supernatural peace and strength at times, even joy in realizing how precious life really is.

I am still processing this and thinking a lot about our friend’s team, who left shortly after his passing. We will dearly miss them all. Please be “thinking” about this group of young people whose lives were totally turned upside down by this event. Please also be “thinking” about his family, his mother & father and two younger brothers.

This Sunday, tomorrow, is the memorial service. We had our own service last Sunday with those who knew him here in our city. But our hearts are heavy as we think of our brothers and sisters who have been plucked from this work and sent back to America for some time to grieve the loss of their teammate and close friend. They will be able to attend the service tomorrow, but we know that there will be much heartache and tears. Please be “thinking” about them at this time.

I don’t know what else to say other than, this has probably been the most difficult two weeks of our time here. We have seen Dad’s sovereignty and peace in new ways, and we know that these are the times that we grow. We continue to feel sorrow about this, but with Dad’s strength we will persevere.  We just ask that you would “think” about us even more at this time, as it is a very difficult time. Thank you all so much for your love and support.

30 days of Thanksgiving

This month I have been reflecting on my life a lot. I have been thinking about what I am thankful for. I have seen lots of posts on facebook about 30 days of thanksgiving and although I didn’t do it day by day like many others. 

1               The wonderful cross and the promise of eternity

2               My best friend, my husband, my strongest companion

3               My amazing one-of-a-kind family, I’ve been realizing that most people don’t have a family as close or nearly as large as mine and in those two things, I am so blessed!

4               Dad’s provision of family overseas in the form of our team

5               Good friends in America

6               Good friends Overseas

7               My Parents- I am so proud of my parents who have been married for 42 years now! This is probably my favorite picture of them, it was taken at my wedding and it just reminds me of how they have held hands through the good and bad times of life.

8               My Sisters – My best friends, I love you both more than I can say!

along with my sisters I am also thankful for two very awesome Sister-in-laws, Brenda & Sheila

9               My Brothers- They always make me laugh. I really enjoy family times with them 

and my two crazy, silly, awesome brother in laws

10           Curtis’ Family – I am especially thankful that his Mom (Chris) and Grandma Angell and Aunt Diana as well as Aunt Sabina and Uncle Allen all came to visit us this year in the spring.

11           Curtis’ Sister Theresa- This deserves a special place of it’s own because Theresa is probably the biggest miracle I have ever witnessed. We are so proud of her and so excited about the big things that Dad is doing in her life!

12           My nieces & nephew

13           My extended family- Aunts, Uncles & Cousins – I only got to see them briefly this year when I was home. But I am still thankful for them and all the memories that we share and the closeness that I still feel with them even through the years of separation. I love them all very much!

14           Our Ch*rch family & Supporters back home: This is a picture of some of our friends who are very dear to our heart whom we used to have a home study with.

15           Our Students: They are our reason for being here!

16           My Russian teachers and friends that I can speak to in Russian: on the left is my friend janna who works in the cafe. I love speaking Russian with her. It seems so easy.

17           Our great city. Thankful for the warm temperatures most of the year and the beautiful flowers and trees that line the streets.

18           The English Center: There is so much that is great about this place and it is getting better day by day!

19           Our New Apartment

20           The opening of the Cafe: working there has been difficult at times, only because there are so many other things that I need to do as well. But what I am most thankful for is the way this place brings our site together and really creates a community atmosphere.

21           My Russian Progress: Despite the difficulty of this crazy language, I am making progress and really enjoying being able to communicate with people here!

22           My home city and the gift of going back over summer: So much about being home this summer was amazing and special! I am just thankful beyond words for this experience and the love that I felt while I was home this summer. I am also thankful that I got to see the ocean again, I was beginning to feel like it no longer existed, but there it was, a mere 10 miles from Camarillo in all it’s beauty and former glory!

23           The ability to travel through Italy this summer: A.M.A.Z.I.N.G

24           The Word: I am so thankful for the refreshing that it brings to my life each morning when I open it up. I am also starting to understanding more and more the reality that it is a love story written specifically for us by our he@venly Father.

25           My health: as I get a little older and experience more aches and pains than I did in my youth, I realize how blessed that I am to be in good health. Although I have some minor setbacks, like allergies and asthma, I have generally good health and in that I am blessed!

26           A warm bed to sleep in, warm apartment and warm winter clothes! This year my winter clothes are really nice because I was able to get new ones which are more suitable for the cold weather than the ones I had last year. Also our apartment is much warmer than both of our previous apartments!

27           Movies & Entertainment: These things just generally make life more fun 

28           Good Coffee: I LOVE COFFEE! I am thank for those of you who send us Decaf coffee in packages and also for the delicious coffee in the cafe 

29           Baking. I Love it! PERIOD.

30           Last but definitely not least, the fact that our Saviour came to Earth in the form of a baby and the whole month of December we get to celebrate this wonderful gift with the holiday of Christmas, but better yet we have something much more precious than just Christmas, we have eternity with Him to express our pra!se and thanks for all the good things he has done for us!

And here is to a beautiful Christmas season! From our home to yours 

Everyday

Yesterday we celebrated our four year Wedding Anniversary. It was a really special day filled with surprises for both of us 

The very first surprise was for me from Curtis. He set up a whole spread on our coffee table. He put out a bunch of romantic movies and games and activities for us to do and then made me a nice breakfast and some coffee. The movie part was special because he doesn’t usually like to watch movies during the day.

The first surprise that I couldn’t wait to give Curtis was a slide show that I made him. I have made this a new tradition in the last few years to create a simple slide show of our year together. This year I felt like the one I made was really special because it was a really special year. We did so many great things together including going to Rome, Venice and also home for the first time in two years!

The song in the video is called Everyday and it is about celebrating life everyday. I had heard it before, but I heard it again for the first time in a long time about a month ago and this time I heard it differently. So much so that it made me teary. I especially love this part of the song:

Everyday of our lives,
wanna find you there, wanna hold on tight
Gonna run, while we’re young
and keep the faith
Everyday, from right now,
gonna use our voices and scream out loud
Take my hand;
together we will celebrate,

I realized all the days when I am so negative and Curtis always tries to point out the positive things about our life. He also tries to make me laugh everyday.

I tend to take things quite seriously and it is really wonderful to have Curtis in my life reminding me to celebrate simply because it makes life better and because we are called to live an abundant life, that doesn’t mean hiding our real feelings. It means loving with abandon, when I am hurt, I cry and he comforts me, but then he guides me towards the good things and reminds me how blessed I am.

You can view the video here on youtube: Curtis & Katina’s Anniversary Video 

The whole day was very special. I couldn’t wait to give Curtis his gift since I bought it this summer in America. It is called “The Book of Us.” It is a book in which they ask 150 questions about your relationship from the very beginning. I took time to answer as many questions as possible and was so excited to give it to him. He was happy to receive it and we read through it together throughout the day, laughing, crying and reminiscing. We decided to make it an anniversary tradition to read through it and update it together.

After we watched a movie together we went to a local restaurant that has delicious Hot Chocolate. Then we went to dinner at an amazing Italian Restaurant in town called Mozzarella where we ate some awesome four cheese pasta and creme brulee, which was so delicious I am determined to try to make my own creme brulee, so stay tuned!

After dinner we went home and Curtis had another surprise waiting for me!

He also wrote on a bunch of balloons the things that he loves about me and scattered them around the room.

It was a very special day with many reminders of how blessed we are to have each other!

My heart is full

Last week was filled with good things; things that filled me to overflowing with love, joy and peace. For the first time in a while I feel so much peace and joy and unity with my brothers and sisters around me. I have been struggling a lot since I returned here, constantly seeking to find refuge in the things of this world. Only finding small moments of peace when I am alone with ‘Dad’, or Curtis. In that I have been blessed. I have been gaining understanding on some things, but failing to live them out. Only this weekend did I have a breakthrough, one of forgiveness and understanding.

I am aware now that I was the cause of my own loneliness. I felt so alone here, away from family and friends. In a world of different languages and mixed cultures. It all felt so foreign and unfriendly. Until the other day. Thank you to those of you who have been asking Dad to strengthen us. He truly has. He has broken through my cold heart of stone and filled it with good things. He has filled me with his love and understanding, with more joy, patience and contentment with life here. I truly feel peace for the first time in a long time, and for this I am truly grateful.