Christmas Fun

Hi Friends!

Hopefully everyone is having a merry merry Christmas!

We started our Christmas celebrations at my aunt's house. Before we left I told Leah to "model" for me. This was the best I could get. She was so silly at the party, letting the boys throw her,  flip her (playfully) but definitely not a girly girl.

Turtle cake! It is so so good. I always forget to take a picture beforehand. This cake is always gone by the night with any family celebration. We had soo much food. It was all very good too. My mom and her sisters are always so good at hosting and preparing the food. The aunt that hosted-every time you come to her house she HAS to feed you. She is soo so caring in all aspects. Not everyone is like that and I tell her you have a "rare" gift. She always makes sure to send you home with a candy bar, or piece of cake or we were at the mall and she got me the Express lip gloss. As I say: its the little things. You'd know what I mean if you knew her :) 

I hope one day I am as close with my sisters as my mom is with hers. This year my aunt basically did not let my mom host it because she did not want it to be hard for us with all the kids and such. So sweet.  

After my aunt's house we came home for present opening. This is just a glimpse of the chaos. This year I refused to wrap gifts. I am becoming bold in saying no ;) Lena took over though. I keep telling my parents to get everyone less gifts. Leah definitely got some fun girly stuff. A princess castle to sit in. A doll set. A dress.  A dress up "princess" dress. A LOT of stuff for her toy kitchen and a cash register. 

This week is fun-filling New Years preparations! 

Blessings, 

Lesya

Christmas Eve

Hi all!

"Have a Merry Merry Christmas, its the best time of the year..."

Sooo has anyone else been preparing for Christmas family parties? Our family sure has! This year we were going to do it at our house but my aunt said she wanted to host it so we're going there tonight! But, back to Thursday...

Thursday night my mother told me to cook something for dinner. I made this "cream cheese chicken with vegetables and pasta dish." Except, it didn't have cream cheese. I had to use up the cooking creme we had. Nevertheless, everyone loved it! I also wish we'd had red peppers. Gives it a nice color. My cell phone camera has this "strong" flash so that explains this picture. We ended up having 4 families of cousins come over randomly (each for a different reason) so it was a fun night.

Friday I went to the mall to finish a few errands off.  There wasn't any parking and boy was it crowded but that's no surprise.

Don't let this image scare you! I was doing crepes and with just a little bit of the batter left, this is what it turned into. Kind of looks like a face to me! Today we have a cake to finish and another family party to go to. 

Hope everyone has a blessed Christmas and always remembers the REASON for the SEASON.

Blessings,

Lesya

December Activites

Hi Friends!

I hope everybody's last weeks of this year are going well!

Along with some very sad days this month their have been good days as well. Well it is the time of year we celebrate Christ's birth and that alone is something to get excited about!

After my last exam (Thurs 15th) I went to have lunch with my preschool teacher friends. One of the assistants hosts a Christmas "party" every year. This year they did it on a day that fit my schedule :) Everything looked so festive and the food was so very good! I always enjoy spending time with them.

We also exchanged homemade gifts. We randomly choose a gift after our name is pulled from a "hat." I got homemade fudge which was real good; the fudge was in baggies and wrapped inside this kitchen cloth. The girls told me that I should put it in my "hope chest." I was like what is that? Well apparently people collect things that one day they'd like to have for when they buy their own homes. Cute idea but if I start buying items I just might run out of space to store them!    

Finally, this Monday and Tuesday I subbed in a 2nd grade classroom. Oh how I loved it! I can not even explain how much I love teaching. Some memorable moments throughout those two days: 

"Miss. L it's just that she was my best friend since kindergarten and I get jealous when she plays with other people. She is ruining my whole life." (A 2nd grader saying this!)

"You're 19?! I thought you were 35!"

"Miss. L, you're not married?" "No" "Oh" (looking at me as though I'm not normal)

"The kids are behaving way better for you than they do for Mrs. Webster" (I think the teacher is very nice...and not strict enough) I have to say I was strict but still nice :) I didn't want what is happening with the boys I tutor to happen here. The boys (7th grade) are so funny and make me laugh. I have no classroom management over them. They also made up a name for me "Miss. Wilkins"

"Can I use my eat-lunch-with-the-teacher pass to eat with you?"

"I always get in trouble for no reason."

This is a google image but the Principal gave me these types of flowers Monday morning when I came in. I thought that was so sweet of him. Clearly I don't get flowers often. Lol.

Blessings,

Lesya

Thoughts...

Hi Friends! 

Well the semester is over. I thought I would have this overwhelming thrill and sense of satisfaction once I submitted my paper...but I didn't. Well I am relieved.  With Jesus taking a mom from our church home, to be with Him, has just impacted me so much. Before I begin my ranting on and on let me say that I know my crying, thinking, and sleepless nights don't help in any way or change the situation but that's just how it is for me (my grieving process). Supposedly I am not sensitive because no I do not cry if I watch a sad movie or see something sad that has not happened in real life, but oh how sensitive I am when real life sadness hits our church. Then I realize I am so sensitive.

Tuesday night I went to the funeral and cried all church service...I was getting so sick of myself because I could not control my tears. I thought I'd be able to stay strong when I hugged the boys but I wasn't.  I'm still crying and can't eat, like I have this "burden." I can't imagine what its like for the family but they (we) have the Holy Spirit our comforter and for that thank you Lord! Of course, their Mom right now is in such a happy place that we can not even imagine what it is like!

Anyway, studying for exams was hard, and taking them was hard when all that was on my mind was this family.

I am thankful that its been so difficult for me to "move on" because I am in constant prayer for the boys and their father. I will never understand why God took away a mom from such great boys but His will is perfect! 

Like my brother Victor said "A mom is the best thing in the world." 

 But if in this world our time with our parents are short, how great is it knowing that one day all families will be reunited in Heaven.

Wayfaring Stranger

Hi Friends
We are indeed strangers on this Earth....as we wait to be taken to our Heavenly home!

I am a poor wayfaring stranger
While traveling through this world below
There is no sickness, toil, or danger
In that bright world to which I go

I know dark clouds will gather o’er me
i know the pathway’s rough and steep
But golden fields lie out before me
Where weary eyes no more shall weep

I’m going there to see my Father
I’m going there no more to roam
I am just going over Jordan
I am going over home.

I’ll soon be free from every trial
This form will rest beneath the sod
I’ll drop the cross of self-denial
And enter in my home with God

I’m going there to see my Savior
Who shed for me His precious blood
I am just going over Jordan
I am just going over home,
I am just going over home

 You can YouTube the song; the version by Selah

Blessings,
Lesya

It Is Well WIth My Soul

Hi all!

This week has been so difficult. Just knowing that another mom from our church went on to be with Jesus. She is the luckiest person in the world having gone to Jesus and I'm sure if she see's us crying she'd tell us not to cry because oh she loves it in Heaven. She is in such a better place now! We can not even imagine how great Heaven is. But here on Earth it's hard to be left behind without a mama, a wife, a friend, a sister; so we grieve.

Anyway, this song has been on my heart with all this going on:

It is Well With My Soul

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

The history of this song makes it even more profound. A man and his wife living in America lost their only son when he was 4. Later his wife and 4 daughters traveled to Europe while the father stayed behind to take care of some things before he headed to Europe as well. He received a telegram stating "Saved Alone." When he made his journey the captain of the ship called him over and said this was where your daughters died (the place the ship had sank) and at that moment this man wrote the song: It Is Well With My Soul. It is also based on 2 Kings 4:26. Also reminds me of Job in the Bible. Only God knows what He does and for what purpose!

To read the story more in depth here is the link: http://www.biblestudycharts.com/A_Daily_Hymn.html

Just scroll down.

Blessings,

Lesya

Birthday(s)!

A very happy Birthday goes out to Yulia today!!!

My cousin is 20 years old today!! This is a picture of us at our annual family camp...anyway

I grew up with her. When we were younger we'd sleepover each others houses and our parents would be calling each other by the end of the evening because we would have a fight. I remember those days...we could not have a sleepover without getting into an argument. Anyway, Yulia is one of the most kind heart-ed people I know (Natalya is the other one). She will do anything for you, even if she says no she'll still go and do it. 

She is so good with kids too! My siblings love her and I know teaching is right for her. Who knows maybe one day we'll be moving to find teaching jobs together! Like I say family is family; they'll always be there no matter what.

God bless you Yulia! I wish I had the time to write more but I have exams this week and therefore don't have time. 

Also my little cousin Karina turned 4 years old today!

She's my lovely little cousin whom our kids always hang out with. Andrew loves her and boy it's easy for her to be boss. She is also finally a big sister to a baby brother!

Blessings,
Lesya

Little Bear, little bear what do you see?

...I see snow for the first time this year!

(It really was her first time; after she woke up I brought her downstairs and told her there was a "surprise" outside)

Little Bear little bear...looks like you're ready for hibernation

(She really was yawning...she had just woken up that morning)

Funny saying from her: I always say you're my little dotsa (girl) and she always says no I'm mom's little dotsa...the other day when my mom was hugging her and telling her that she was her little dotsa Leah said, "Mom I will go with Lesya so she can get her own little dotsa...she can take your car and we will go to the store together." So cute! She even understands our car situation...my red car broke and Roman's car is broken...and the other car we have is giving out so we were laughing that my mom will have to drive my dad to work in the morning and drive everyone around to where they have to be everyday. From 5 cars to 1 car in a month. 

Blessings,

Lesya

Getting Organized

Hi Friends!

I just wanted to share what I say to be the most useful organizational tool in my room. I have so much "stuff" I buy thinking this would be great for this, etc and then I find out that it doesn't make such a big difference in organizing my room. This has, however, prevented me countless times from roaming around my room looking for hair ties! I don't know what about you guys, but hair ties are one of those things that you can never have enough of because they "disappear," or at least in my experiences! My aunt actually gifted this to my sister and I.

Currently I am looking for a way to organize my scarves....any ideas? (I have them on a hanger in my closet right now, but I don't have much room with all the clothes)

This might be a bad picture...its on a pink circular base. Instead of rings, hair ties it is! No, I don't where the sparkly ties; Lena does. 

Blessings,

Lesya

And Another Birthday :)

Hi everyone!

21 years ago today a very special person was born...

Tanya.

She is the kind of person that will laugh or cry with you. Usually she's full of positive energy...not as often as of lately...hmm don't let that change Miss. Tanya!

Anyway, there is a lot to say about this girl. She's just so sweet and so "laid back" (usually just goes with the flow).  I always tell her she's the kind of girl that if you're having a bad day, she'll make it a whole lot better. She knows exactly what to say. She's also, with me, very straight forward which I like because I know she feels comfortable telling me where she disagrees (or agrees).

I love being able to work alongside her with the cell groups and seeing her praise Jesus through her singing. I am her biggest fan! I tell her: if you want a list of songs I think you should sing, then I can have it written up for you in a few short minutes. Through facebook I used to always send her songs she should sing. I don't think I'll stop anytime soon. I love her solo singing :)

She is also a very encouraging person. We love you Tanya.

Be blessed.

Blessings,

Lesya

Monday Thoughts

Hi all!

Just some random "Monday Thoughts" I'm going to record here.

 I do not like driving on rainy roads at night...actually I find it easier when there are less cars and lights around. Can't wait for dark and snowy driving...

Speaking of cars and driving...I love our family car situation. It had forced our family to communicate often; not that we don't communicate enough but these car conversations are always taking place such as: oh well I was going to go then, but if you need the car I'll go later. No it's okay, you can drive me, No, I'll stay home. I'll ask someone to get me. Go, go it's okay if I'm late. When will you be home? I need the car and so forth. My car is basically fixed except that my father disapproves of the paint job so that will slow the process down. Again. Hopefully end of next week I'll have my car...right when exams end and I don't truly "need" it. Fine with me though!

I am loving the Christmas season. Love the songs being played on the radio; the upcoming Christmas church services and just the idea of a white Christmas free of school work,  and relaxing at home with the family during cold December nights. I am excited for New Years planning and cell group meetings. Basically, can you tell I am anxious for school to be over with? Unlike last year, I will actually have a winter break.

Yes everyone, God bless you on your finals! I am soo worn out from school. This semester I did not have a weekend where I did not do at least 8 hours of homework, however this is my last week of class and next week after finals I'm done! Lord give me strength! I'm in a position right now where I have to maintain my grades where they are at, so I don't want to get a B on anything or else I will be greatly disappointed. Also I am feeling sick. I don't know, maybe it is all this schooling, but I always feel tired ; like I need sleep during the day even when I had a good nights sleep. My head always feels, I don't know, heavy? I'm also back with my sleeping problems...can't fall asleep for at least an hour every night. Anyway I am just going to complain from here on so I'll stop there..next post I'll be positive ;)

Blessings,

Lesya

I Agree.

Hi friends!

I hope everybody had a productive Saturday.

We had your L.I.F.E. (cell group acronym) meeting this morning at my house. 10 AM...everybody early or on time! Loving it! That's beside the point; we are basically starting our New Years planning processes and it is so exciting...I would just like to leave this phrase with you to think about.  

I never looked at this subject from this perspective, but I agree; could be so true for some people.

Also, I am really into this Winter/Christmas season. Changed my blog around a little during my "homework break" at my Grandparents house today (I go to their house to do homework because its an environment conducive to learning) Hope you enjoy and may this spirit of Christmas put you into a good mood always! I'm struggling what that at the moment wondering how I am going to write 4 more lengthy papers and study for 3 exams, for which I haven't started studying for yet, in the next week in a half and read a novel (for one of my classes have to read a full novel for the last day of class, like seriously?) oh well...I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me...I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me...I can do all things through Christ...I can do all things....I can...

Blessings,

Lesya

Thanksgiving

Hi friends!

I thought I should post a little about our family Thanksgiving as I've mentioned I would. 

Anyway, there is soo much to be thankful for and I'm sure y'all would agree. 

And when we don't?...remember everything that happens or does not happen is God's perfect will! Since it's perfect, be thankful for what ever circumstance you're in.

When I got into the car accident I thought, "God, why?? You could have intervened in a way so that it wouldn't happen...but he chose to let it happen. It was his will; maybe to teach me to be more cautious, maybe something even worse would have happened if I continued on driving...only He knows and we should be so thankful for that :) 

The "thing" I'm most thankful for is that I know Jesus. We should always be thankful for that but I'm just very particularly thankful for this, this time of year. When I'm worried, stressed, questioning what I'm doing for God, etc. I am so very thankful I can lay my burdens down at the cross, knowing He will take care of any "situation" I'm in.

Taras and I. It's quite a task to take a picture with him, but Thanksgiving he didn't mind...maybe because I complimented him. LOL.

They matched...it was at Miss. Irina's house that we had Thanksgiving. Don't they look so cute?

Our family parties are FULL of boys! And two more baby boys have been added to the mix. So, we get to do fun things like pyramids and everybody making random noises/yelling for fun (ok well us girls Irina, Lena, and I (Leah is too young; Natasha is married) join in on the fun sometimes ;) but we are greatly outnumbered!)...and these are definitely not all the boys in the pyramid.

Family. Something I am always thankful for.

Blessings,

Lesya

Happy Birthday Natalya!

Hi friends!

Today a dear friend of mine turned 19 years old! 

Happy Birthday Natalya! 

I wish you all the Lord's blessings in your life and like I always say about you...

YOU are one of the few naturally kind hearted people that I know.

You have a heart of gold and would do anything for anybody! 

I wish we saw each other more often but we are on somewhat different paths till you join me Fall 2012 at Brockport. 

As always remember to keep serving Jesus!

Also, its been a pleasure working with you in Sunday school(ok that sounds too cliche...you get the idea)...I think God knew I would need someone who could withstand my blunt or unnecessary remarks in the classroom! ;) Only you know what a mean. Thank you for always accepting my apologizes...and since you are a very honest person I believe you when you say you forgive me-even though you feel sometimes there is nothing to forgive...again simply a kind humble person. 

I am also thankful for this past summer where we've made a lot of memories and became better friends :)

Blessings,

Lesya

Birthday Dinner

Hi Friends!

Thanksgiving day was also my best friend's birthday...well I did buy her a card stating our relationship was more like sisters because we feel so comfortable with each other. We can call each other out, be honest with each other, etc, and you just can't always do that with ordinary friends. I think it is just years and years of knowing each other.

This was us 5 girls. We went to a place called Bad Apples. Such a cute little place! Love discovering cute places in the area...the food was great as well. Angela also covered the check and it wasn't small...like I say she is a generous soul. We love you Angela!

We also had some good laughs as always.

Other than that my day was spent writing papers. I do feel very much accomplished! 

I hope to post on Thanksgiving soon!

Blessings,
Lesya

Birthday Girls!

Hi Friends!

I think we have some birthday announcements that can't go undocumented...

A very happy birthday goes out to

my aunt Galina...

my friend Diana...

(would you look at the attitude in this "action shot" wink wink) I wish I had more time to write but school work is calling my name.

My baby little sister Leah....

turned 3 today! The other day we bought her two cute dresses. I said, "Leah are you happy we bought you two dresses?!" "No, I don't want two..I want a lot." I was speechless...

We love you Leah...(family camp 2011) She still climbs walls! At church she always climbs over and under the seats and we can't stop in a calm manner.

I hope you grow up to one day be a girl like your sister Lesya ;) just kidding. Be better :) although from the looks of it...my, my, you have one big attitude and not much room in your heart to love me. The other day you said "I don't care about Lesya" but I still love you. You are just too cute and too smart and was definitely a blessing in disguise when you were first born ;)

Blessings,

Lesya

Patti's Pantry

Hi Friends!

Yesterday we had piano lessons and had to stop by the bookstore beforehand. Mark and Lena were walking next to each other and I had to yell out "wait, wait let me take a picture." They were just so cute matching gray "clothing. Since Lena is half the size of Mark you'd think she is half his age...so since he is 14, you'd say she's 7. Wrong. Poor girl, STILL the smallest in her 5th grade class (she's 10)...but we're getting there. I was once small too...and now look what happened!

We also had our second cell group meeting. I think it went really well! Didn't get any pictures from it though...

Today after the preschool and tutoring (those boys are smart, just lazy...typical) I went out to lunch with all my preschool teacher friends because it was Shelly's birthday (one of the preschool assistants). We went to a place called Patti's Pantry. It was soo cute! I loved it; very country style and they had this little shop. It had such a "homey" feel to it. We had a great time. I always love talking to the girls. They are so Christ-like and just so positive and have amazing testimonies. Afterwards I stopped by the mall, and then went home and napped! I'm always soo tired on Fridays.

Most friends are off in NYC this weekend. Hope you all are having a blast! 

This weekend I plan to spend with this girl:

We decided since we weren't going to NYC we would do something fun and tomorrow we are. But tonight will mark the beginning of our fun as we are doing something after church. 

Blessings,

Lesya

P.S. Have fun New York City Gals..Have fun and be good! ;)

When I'm 35

At 19....this is what (so far) I have though about in my life. I sometimes say that oh when I'm older I'm going to do this and that. I want to be a particular kind of person later in life.

So this is a letter to self...that I should read at 35.

I hope that Jesus is still your number 1 in all aspects of life. As when you were 19, God reminded you so many times that He is first and you're ultimate calling here in Earth is to serve Him. Do you still realize that or have you gotten caught up with other things? Do you still make it to church on Friday nights, or even Wednesdays. Do you teach Sunday school? Have you gotten together with friends to sing a song in church recently, to serve God and the people? Or do you say, oh that was done when I was young. No time, no need now. Do you sit back and watch things happen? Do you care for the orphans at your church? Do you love them, and invite them over and be a good role model? When you were 19 you saw families do just that and oh how you respected them, saying that is what you would like to do. Do you give? When you were 19 you said you would buy a smaller house even if you could afford a bigger/better one because you'd be able to give more.

I hope that you love teaching as much as you did when you were 19. I hope it hasn't become "a job" that you have to go to, but rather LOVE to go to because you want to be there. I hope you invest a lot of your time into it as you planned when you were 19, because you want and love to serve "your kids" as I'm sure you're calling them. I hope you have the patience with them, unlike a lot of what you have heard from other students in your Inquiry to Learning class, back in the day. I hope you still see each child as an unique individual that God placed into your classroom for a reason. Do you still ask God to give you the ability to teach in a way that students understand?

Do you love your family? At 19 you said you already love your children (even though you didn't have them)! Are you a good mother. Friends used to tell you, you would be, but is that so? Are you patient? Are you kind? Do you invest time into them for them to get to know the Lord?! At 19 you knew that you would probably be the mom that did everything for your kids, even though they could do it themselves. You always thought you'd be the mom that wasn't too strict...although some friends (Olga-will have to remember this name!) thought you would be. At 19 you didn't know how many children you wanted...3 you always said...but 7 would do just fine :) Do you remember wanting to adopt? Sometimes you'd cry when you see precious faces of children without homes. Are you a stay at home mom? As much as you loved teaching, if you had the opportunity to stay home with your kids you would take it!

Do you love your husband? Are you even married? If you are...are you controlling, as you thought you would be back at 19 because you always had so many little siblings to watch after and that characteristic grew on you. Not controlling in a bad way hopefully... I think it's as though you feel like you have to do everything for everyone...you always said it would be scary to go through stumbling blocks in a marriage. You said if you'd be the one with disagreements in your marriage, you would humble yourself and say, "have it your way." Is that so?

Do you still LOVE to cook? Or have you become lazy? Do you try to be the best homemaker you could possibly be? Do you bring meals to other families when, lets say they had a baby, or are sick. Do you offer to help friends out? Maybe babysitting their kids, serving in any way you could. Do you invite people over? Do you give your guests the best that you have? Or do you wait to be invited over in order to invite someone...I hope you don't do good deeds expecting something in return. I hope your good deeds come from your heart as a way you serve Jesus. Do you love shopping? Dressing all cute, but being conscious of a budget...do you coupon? At 19 you got sick of it...didn't care for it too much. You still loved good deals on clothes though.

Do you have healthy relationships with friends? Do you stay in contact with the friends from when you were 19? Or you have drifted apart....its as though you are strangers. It would be cool if you held "girls nigh out" and Bible studies with your friends. Are you a good friend? At 19 many times you thought, oh I wish I was a better person. Do you still strive to be a better person?! Do you trust God with EVERYTHING? That was so hard for you as a teen.

At 19 on a Wednesday night, because of this post you are going to be running to choir. You still have to shower and get ready. It's mid week. November. Busy in school, but you try so hard to stay active in your church.

Are you always busy in a good way? What are you doing on a Wednesday November night at 35? I hope its not "doing nothing." I hope its serving God, your family, or your students.

Blessings,
Lesya

P.S. Readers you should do this too!! (I got this idea from another blog as well)

Mid-weel Post

Hi all!

I feel as though I haven't posted during the week for some time now.
This week is actually so very great. I am not overwhelmed with homework. First week in such a very long time...but no time to "sit back and relax"  At this point I'm going to take it one day at a time because thinking about how much I have to do by the end of the semester can be so overwhelming.

I guess I will go ahead and write about some of the things that have been happening as of late:

Last Thursday I had a debate. My position was that high school should last 4 years (instead of 3). So my opponent states her argument (we were the first to go from the entire class) and then it was my turn. I started to speak...and laugh at the same time. The laugh won and I just stood there and laughed and laughed, trying to apologize to the class at the same time. Olga kept looking at me shacking her head and later told me she thought I was going to cry because I could not stop laughing. Well, I sure was a piece of entertainment for the class. I tried starting over and laughed yet again. Why was I laughing?? I got really nervous right before presenting....and that's what happens when I'm nervous...but usually not this bad. The teacher then said, "Lesya, take a deep breath. Would you like to start over?" So I did, and luckily the laughing episode stopped!

Sunday, in Sunday school Natalya and I did hand prints with the kids (Natalya's idea...I owe the credit to her!) and they turned out so nice! I plan to do a Sunday school post as Natalya suggested I do, which isn't a bad idea.

Another thing...I am SSOOOOOO thankful to God for sending "blessings in disguises" just like what Laura Story sings in her song, Blessings. Sometimes we may feel rather bewildered about "situations" but then you come to know the bigger picture. God thank you for protecting me from this "situation"  (as in my case). I would share as I like to remember things for myself but this I don't care to even remember; just glad God showed, once again, that He is in control!


Today I met with the English teacher from Greece Christian because I will be tutoring 4-5 boys every Friday, starting this week. She shared a little about her story, and it made me think about God's purpose for every one of our lives. Sometimes, its not the "so-called perfect plan" we may have in mind.

Lastly, I've been thinking about how unhappy I am with myself knowing I do so much yet so little because I don't have the time to devote myself whole hardheartedly (as Diana said)  to all the responsibilities I CHOSE to take on. It's just so hard because I hate thinking about not doing my best in everything (especially work for the Lord, although whatever we do should be as though we are doing it for Him). So, I don't know I'm just praying about all of this. Maybe God will give me a miraculous amount of energy for everything...or maybe not :)

Blessings,
Lesya

Cell Group Meetings have begun!

Hi Friends!

I hope everyone's week went well...I have to say that being home on a Friday is out of the ordinary for me and it feels nice waking up knowing that I don't have to go anywhere. For the past 8 weeks I taught that Ukrainian class and afterwords it so happened that I would go to the mall to "return something." Now I'm just plain sick. Sick of all the clothes-not the good deals though, of course. 

Anyway, this past Sunday the 6th of November was our first cell group meeting. We are off to a good start! And now, some of the food that was present...

Apple season! I made some kind of dip to go with the apples. Still on the look out for a good apple-dip recipe.

My mother's homemade salsa. It is always a hit!

I love this chicken salad (with celery) so I decided to make this too. 

Diana and her mother made this apple cake. It was good! Yay for apples!

Traditional Ukrainian dessert...

I did not get much photos of the girls oh and the sandwiches! They were so very good. Diana and I actually left church early to prepare but only half of our group showed up. Oh well. Also thanks to Tanya and Diana for hosting the first get-together!

Last Friday I had a little party for my Ukrainian class but I don't want to put any pictures up as I didn't ask for permission. 

This morning my mom comes in with Leah into my room.

 I say, "Leah come lay down next to me.

Leah: "No"

I say: "Why not? Please. I love you Leah."

Leah says: "because I don't like you" (and puts this little smirk on her face)
The other day I asked her why she didn't like me and she said: "because you are not my boyfriend!" Where did she get that from??!!

Oh Leah what are we going to do with you....little girls aren't suppose to be like this!!

Blessings,

Lesya

WIll Always Remember

 Hi Friends!

 The week started off well. I don't think I'm ever going to stop posting pictures of these two together! They are just so CUTE! I know, I know, obviously to me they are!

Recent sayings of Leah:

"Leah, I'm gonna eat you up!"

"Don't eat me up!"

"Why?" 

"Cuz I'm not your food!"

"Leah, Lesya crashed her car. What are we going to do?"

"We can fix it. Or you can use Mom's car. Roman can drive you. We can buy you another car."

Oh the mind of a little one. She could always cheer me up :) Especially after my crash. Andrew and Leah were my source of comfort.

Today she randomly told me, "Lesya I'm gonna fix your car when I get older."

Andrew, on the other hand says don't worry I will help dad fix your car.

Overall I had a great beginning of the week...it was busy but I went to the city and another little boy gave me a note saying "Best Teacher" and it just made me so I don't know sad, because I know some of their lives are so bad, but they are such great kids. I wish I could do more for them! This little boy in particular reads his little children's Bible which I pray God uses to touch his little heart. He is also the little boy that says he will hit his girlfriend if he tells her to buy him a doughnut and she doesn't!

Wednesday I was on campus till 9 and walking out the scenery just looked so beautiful! This is a bad picture but it was so nice and I felt so good. I had accomplished a lot that day and was on my way to...

Diana's house from diana-ablogaboutlife.blogspot.com! I had a good time and then Thursday...

Thursday was great until...I was driving Mark to a band concert and crashed! Oh the sadness I felt about my poor poor car. It is hurt pretty badly. I am SSOOO thankful that we are all okay but I just I am so mad at myself. It was however such a nice scene of family coming together. Roman rushed right over. My mom came hugging me. My dad was not mad either. In fact I called him and the first thing I said was, "Tato, don't be mad at me but I crashed my car..." Right now they are all just telling me to calm down about it. Looking around me and everything that is happening in our church in peoples' families, this is really so materialistic. In reality, this won't matter in a couple of months...time will go on but for the time being I am sad and back to driving my embarrassing red car until that one is fixed...or I get a new one.

Friday, Natashka, Tanya and I met after I went to the mall with Mariyka (my cousin-in-law). We planned out some more for our cell group. I am so excited and pray that the Lord blesses us! We were so full of ideas, things I was surprised we could come up with...oh I hope mitosis won't have to occur soon.  Tomorrow is our first group meeting. Hopefully all will go well!

Blessings,

Lesya

The Beauty of Ordinary Days

Nice title huh? 

Well its the title of a new blog. 

So now....

I would like to welcome www.onajourneytoeverlasting.blogspot.com to the blogging world.

Go on over, check it out and follow...as I've told the blogger I will formally introduce her on my blog.

Blessings,

Lesya

All Kinds of Things

Hi (again) Friends!

This morning I went to Yulia's wedding...it was beautiful. The only shot I got was this:

Our beautiful servers. Boy, did they do a phenomenal job! I mean they were just perfect. I wonder if they ever wonder whether they would want to do this job on a regular basis. Wink wink.They sure look happy and full of life here :)

I left the wedding around 4, because of course I had homework, etc. Angela called later, telling me she was going to stop by and yes she did. Here is family helping her with the strings on her leggings. Thought it was too cute. Since I was busy, she helped Lena with her homework and boy was she a silly goose tutor. Maybe I'll upload the video later sometime.

Such a sad picture, of course. Leah said a naughty word (butt) even though no one says that around our house! We don't know where she got it from! Of course, he sister Lesya wouldn't let that get by with out a "Leah you have to say sorry." "No," she said. Well then, corner it is. Poor thing was crying. Hopefully she learns her lesson and never forgets that we love her :)

Blessings,

Lesya

Favorite Recipe Sites!

Hi all!

Busy day today, but I thought I'd post some of my go-to websites for recipes! Oh how I wish I has time to cook and bake these days...

Tammysrecipes.com

I love the consistency of new recipes being put up and the variety. Her pictures are great, and best of all most of the food I've made from her site tastes good!! 

Natashaskitchen.com

Truthfully, I haven't made anything from her site, although I've meant to...but she really does put out good recipes an such.

Also you may have seen on the side bar, I follow blueskiescooking.blogspot.com

I don't know what attracted me to the recipes...but I liked quite a few and hope to actually make a few of her recipes soon!

Thepioneerwoman.com

Great recipes on her site too!

So go on over and check the sites out.

There are many more great places online for awesome recipes but the few I look at most often already make me feel sad since I can't make anything from them due to lack of time so I don't go on much other sites these days.

Blessings,

Lesya

Anna's Birthday

Hi Friends!

Sunday was Anna's birthday. So us girls went out to Cheesecake Factory to celebrate

This is Anna. (Well, obviously). Doesn't she just look so cute?! I have to say she is one of the most SELFLESS, KIND, and GENEROUS individuals I've ever met. She definitely carries the characteristics of being a nurse! I look at her, and then look at my self and think boy oh boy do I have things to work on....sometimes its good to compare ourselves to others :)

Inside...

Outside...

Once again Anna HAPPY BIRTHDAY. We love you and keep being the person that you are!

Now I must plan my "About Ukraine Lesson Plan"

Hmm...maybe I'll take pictures and blog about the class...

Blessings,

Lesya

Building Memories that Last a Lifetime

Hi friends!

No words necessary for this post...just look back and remember the memories we should cherish as we grow up.

Woodcliff- November 2011

Memorial Day-May 2011

Diana's birthday-Nov, 2010

Breakfast

One night last summer at my house (when we intruded on the little boys' Bible study)

The love of cooking/baking some of us share

Have a great week everyone! 

God bless you all where ever you are and lets remember to keep each other in our prayers.

Blessings,

Lesya