I Will Be Your Friend: Part 2

Lately (since June) I've been thinking on the topic of "friends."
Over the course of these past few months, I have come to conclusions. Some, good. Some, not so good. When you pay closer attention to certain aspects of your life, you learn somethings. I've definitely learned how I could change. I also saw how my "friends" could change. At those times my friends were in quotation marks ;).
I realized that in our group of friends, if a difficult situation came up, we would be there for each other. That was the good thing :) example: NYC going home situation, prayer at the 2010 youth camp, even simply giving someone a ride, etc. I don have to mention in NYC when it turned out that I would be taking the bus, boy did I feel this rush of love. Tanya giving me her water, cookies, Inna the ipad, Ira her phone, Igor offering to pick us up, etc. We may not all be close friends, but we care about each other! I still pray that God gives me close friends. 
 I feel like us friends,  although we will have disagreements, arguments, be too outspoken, etc. we are still here for each other. But then again, that holds true as long as God is in the center of each and everyone of our lives.
"I'll be your friend for a lifetime...won't walk away in the hard times...I will be your friend." I also love the line about so many memories with friends :) Love those lines from the below song, because we are all people, and as friends, we all have different characters, and sometimes act in ways we shouldn't, but at the end of the day, I'm sure all of us can agree, that we love each other and again will be there for each other :)

Hope you enjoy this song: I Will Be Your Friend :) By Michael W. Smith

On the NYC trip. Roman said an interesting thing. When you get older, you should start depending on friends more in situations like you get stuck somewhere, etc. I thought about that and came to realize in most situations that is true. Those are also the times you realize who cares, would help, etc.
Also the best thing you can do when your friends are in quotation marks, is to still be a good friend, even if they aren't. 

Blessings,
Lesya

I Will Be Your Friend: Part 1

So many memories and so many miles

The road that stretches behind us

We've had some laughter

And our share of tears

But all these moments unite us

I'll be your friend for a lifetime

Against the wind and the rain of every season

Won't walk away in the hard times

I will be your friend

I'm saying I will be your friend.

Praying Specifically

Recently I came across an article in a Christian magazine my family receives- The Seed of Truth.

I decided to share it with you all, because it talked about us praying "in general." I find myself doing this often, maybe you do too. They put together general phrases we say as we pray, and how to pray specifically on this subject. I find myself especially doing this when I'm "in a rush" while praying.

"Thank you for everything..."

For what? Salvation? Yes, but how do you feel especially blessed right now? A friend? A job? Good weather? Protection on the road? Tell God specifically!

"Bless everybody today..."

Bless whom? Who is on your heart? Who needs God's blessing right now? Is someone sick? Discouraged? Having financial difficulties (okay, okay, so I added the financial difficulties phrase)? Has someone blessed you?

"Help us to be good..." 

How are you tempted to be bad? Wrong thoughts? Pride? Anger?

Finally the article spoke of people wanting to serve the Lord. Perhaps, God is calling you to a secret ministry of the prayer closet, which all can do. 

Blessings,

Lesya

A One of a Kind Wishlist

On the computer desktop I came across my sister's birthday wishlist. It was too funny! I thought I'd put it up here because it would sure be a nice memory, without her knowing of course, because I would be in BIG trouble from her!

My 2011 Birthday Wishlist
    By Lena Lukomskiy

    I want a webkin puppy!And.........an american girl doll a puppy REAL ONE!And go shopping at Justice with Lesya a phone maybe Lesya can give me her phone when she wants to give me another one! A little bit of clothing junk uhhhhhhhh maybe some slime and money not that i’m greedy or anything and maybe an ALLOWENCE MOM!DAD!Another sister they probably cost about 20 bucks.
May 29th 2011 12 ‘oclock a.m. all for today more on Tues!

She wrote this a while back and I remember she mentioned something to me but I didn't see it until last night, She even included the time and was planning to write more the next day! I just love her "attitude" in this wishlist. She did get the webkin, clothes, and money :)

Blessings,
Lesya

Spinach and Tomato Salad

One of my favorite salads:

You'll need:
Spinach
Cherry (little) tomatoes
Crumbled feta cheese
Italian Dressing

There really aren't any exact portions. I like to put in washed spinach in a bowl and pour Italian dressing in. Then add the cherry tomaotes, doesn't mix because they will all fall to the bottom, and you want your tomatoes to stay on top for a nice presentation. Sprinkle the feta cheese and drizzle additional Italian dressing on the tomaotes/feta cheese.

Blessings,
Lesya

Tuesday Fun

Hi all,
Yes it's Thursday and I'm only now writing up my Tuesday day post. Let me explain.
Tuesday I took family #2 (well you see we have two families. The first five are one family, and the last 4 are a second family) to the library and the playground. The day wasn't too bad, especially compared to today where the temp reached 104 degrees. So family #2 consists of Lena, Victor, Andrew, and Leah.

Here the kids are at the library. They were so cute. Leah came up to me at one point with two chapter books and said "Ok Lesya, I got my books to read." That made me laugh. I think she see's me reading chapter books and thinks picture books aren't books! I signed Lena and Victor up for a craft so they made rain sticks while I hung out with the kids.

Then, since we didn't stay at the library long, I asked if they wanted to go to Parma Park. They did. In this picture Leah and I were watching Lena go down. Leah stood there quietly, then said, "I can't climb there. I'm very small" in her sweet voice. 

Then we came home and I decided to go relax with the kids in the pool. Well I didn't relax, because they kept wanting me to play with them, hold them, etc., but it was fun! Here Leah is jumping in the pool, from the steps :)

  Those are the kind of days I want to remember with the kids. I love making them happy and spending time with them. Plus mother can get some work done in peace!

Finally, I won a blog giveaway! One night I had this desire to fill out giveaway forms. Well, it was worth it because I won a cereal dispenser and 6 little sample cereals. It came in the mail and is so cute! Just wanted to document that wow I actually did win something for free!

And as for not blogging about Tuesday until today, well the kids took a movie from the library and it had a bunch of scratches on it. The movie kept freezing and eventually froze the computer. So today I was able to finally take care of that "situation."
Blessings,
Lesya

God's Mercy

I thought what I am going to talk about deserves its own post, so I didn't write it with my camp post.
Basically, Monday I went shopping. It was for a few hours but naturally, I got tired, feet hurt, etc. After all, I am 19. Anyway, I was driving home tired. It was around 4:45 pm. Well, I was almost home, and I started to feel like I was falling asleep. I should have turned the music up, etc. But, of course I never thought something could happen to me. So, I kind of started to relax more and more as I was nearing my house. Well, I guess I dosed off. Next thing I know, I open my eyes, to woods right in front of me. I was driving half on someone's lawn, and half on the side of the road, my car on an angle.  I was on the opposite side of the road also. I quickly swerved my car, hoping I could "miss" the woods. I did. But, I had no control of my car. I was going 50 and trying to get back on the road, while pressing the breaks did not work, not turning the wheel, just enough to stay on the road.
My car went across the road into someones yard, and spun. All I did was press the break, and quietly say, "Oh God. Oh God. Please God, please." My car tires were screeching and I just hoped the car would come to a stop. It did. I pressed the gas, and shaking, drove out of someones yard (Thank God, I didn't hit any houses).  I was still shaking when I got home. It was funny because as soon as I "woke up" I thought, wow this is unbelievable, oh my, I hope my car will be okay. Oh boy I should probably call dad if I won't be able to get out of the yard." Now I think about it and say, thank you Lord that there were no cars anywhere, no people, no houses. It was by God' s mercy alone that there were no cars. There are always two or three cars on that road when I drive.
So if you could thank the Lord with me, I would like that. I am fine, my new car is totally fine, and the surroundings are fine.
Later, when I was driving to youth, which I almost didn't because of what happened. I seriously was going to take a longer route, so I wouldn't have to pass by where I fell asleep closed my eyes for just a few seconds. But I did go that way, and saw the tire marks, and the lawn. It was unreal to me. I thank God that I did remain calm because if I pressed the gas who knows what could have happened.
Blessings,
Lesya

Camp Blessing I'd Call It

Hi all!!

Obviously, my updates during VBS week did not exist.
It was the best week of the year (so far) for me. Coming into camp, I knew it would be wonderful, but what I did not know was that it would serve as such a blessing to me! Monday I got there early, after having a bad nights sleep and got a few things together. Looking at the class list, I quickly told Diana that oh boy, we have such "bad" boys in our class. Boy was I wrong. Diana and I had such a great week with our students. We ended the week says, boy do we have the BEST kids in our class. Anyway, by Friday I was so exhausted. During the week I got little sleep every night, and I would wake up in the middle of the week thinking about having to do something for camp, etc. But I didn't want it to end. I loved out students. I mean LOVED them.
A silly thing Diana and I did was make cards for each of the kids with a personal message, with two photos, and a bookmark. We played music as each child came up hugged us and took their card. It was cute though. Someone came in and said, "what is this, a graduating ceremony" lol. But most of all, I loved that so many kids were saved!!! Then some students and staff went into a classroom to pray, and I myself was crying so hard. I couldn't stop the tears. I saw the "cool" kids from my class praying, and receiving the Holy Spirit. God blessed me so much to have had the opportunity to be a part of this camp.
Also the boys left to NC and Louisiana Monday, taking the camera, and I didn't upload any camp pics so I have none to share! For the next week, whatever pics will be shared will be from my phone camera!
Blessings,
Lesya

Lena's and Alex's Birthday Celebration, Plus More

My sister has to have a party every year. This year was no different. We had cousins come over. Here are a few snapshots from the party which was Thursday, July 7th.

The Birthday Girl.

My cousin Lenka came from NYC to visit for the week, so she came over. It was nice seeing her and boy has marriage changed her. LOL. Just the way she talks, she's so mature now. She always was, but now its like she's really an adult. She's such a sweet wife too. She was telling me all about the cooking she does, etc. (My dress shrank in the wash. Not good!) We also went Saturday night (after I went to prodaja, to her mom's house and had a barbeque since she was here).

I took this little girl for a walk, and the farther we went the more she would say "mommy, mommy" in this sweet baby voice. Here we were VERY much near her mother so she was really calling out for her. She is our youngest girl cousin....for now :)

Also, today was my cousin's Alex's birthday! He turned 16. I went to his house to celebrate as well.

After evening service, Andrew comes in my room with his hair wet. I asked him what he was doing?! Nick's friends were coming over so "I have to make my hair cool. I want to make a mohawk" Here he is "perfecting" it

The other day my mom told me to come into her room to see what Leah was doing. Well, there she was "reading" a book. She stopped making up words reading when I came in. The other day she took my book "Romeo and Juliet" and brought it to my dad and said "you should read this." A couple hours ago, she came into my room and said, "Lesya, I need a book to read" and made her lovely way to my chapter books. She says and does such funny things every day! It is just so funny.

This week is VBS or "kids camp" so I will be busy! I am so excited though, and praying for a blessed week with the kids. I plan on updating, just so I can read back on how the week went. I just hope I'm not too tired tomorrow as I am going to sleep late tonight and waking up at 6:30.

Blessings,
Lesya

Finally...

From my embarrassing red car...

To my not so embarrassing silver car. 

I drove to MCC Wednesday for my last day of class, and took this car. Alesya was the first person to put gas in. While I went in and paid, she started the pumping. What a good friend ;)She was also the first to drive in it with me. LOL.

SPEAKING OF MCC....

Alesya and I would meet up at Starbucks before our class, catch up on how our day went. Laugh out loud. Something funny always happened. Then we would rush to get to class and I would make it exactly on time.  

 Later I'd sit and wait for Alesya to be done with class. My class starts earlier, so it ends first. This is my view from the 3rd floor science building. Beautiful MCC;)

 

Then we'd take the long walk to our car. One of us parked at Starbucks and we drove together because smart Alesya proposed getting one parking ticket.
Farewell MCC, I will miss you. We will always be in my thoughts.

Blessings, 

Lesya

Books I Plan on Reading this Summer!

I've been wanting to read this for awhile now! Hopefully I'll get to it this summer.

I took this book from the library to read this past semester, but I didn't have time to read it. Diana read it and said it was good! It's unique because it's a real love story and not made up about a city girl leaving everything to marry a cowboy. The has a website, www.thepioneerwoman.com where she shares recipes, etc.

This one I'm planning to read only because of Diana's recommendation...if you didn't read about it on her blog you can still do that...diana-ablogaboutlife.blogspot.com

I don't want to add too many books here, because I'll be glad if I get through these three!
I have lots more books at home that I will read if I finish these up!
Blessings,
Lesya

Courageous

Hi all,
I'm posting a trailer for a movie coming out in September. Basically, the teacher I volunteered for gave me two movie tickets. I don't really go to the movies. I don't think it's necessarily "bad" but I know my parents disapprove, plus you waste time and money, and I'm just not really a movie person. But...since I have those tickets I told my friends that I would go see a Christian movie if one were to come out...so watch this trailer. From the makers of Fireproof. It doesn't look too bad. Now I can rest assured that I would be able to use those tickets ;) Well I have to find one other person since I have two....hmm....

Blessings,
Lesya

4th of July

Happy 4th of July to everyone! Especially my cousin Yuriy who turns 22 today, and my sister Lena who turns 10! May God bless both of them!

Lena. She was the sister I always prayed for when I was growing up with 4 boys. Finally, when I was 9, I got her. This annoying sweet little sister. Just Kidding. I love her. Just somethings about her at age 10. (I'll show her this when she turns 18! ha!) She hates cleaning. She used to love it. She loves clothes. Anything Justice, 77 Kids, P.S. Aeropostale, and Abercrombie. She wants to be a teacher when she grows up. She can't wait to grow up so that she can go to restaurants and "stuff like that." She plays clarinet and piano, and boy does she have a natural ability for it. You ask her to play any song on the clarinet, she can figure it out! Same with piano. She also loves to sing, and has a good ear. She's also athletic, and according to her teacher she is such a "sweetheart" (that is in school, to make things clear ;)) She always asks me why she is so small, (she's shorter than her 8 year old brother, but I was small too) and loves having the latest fads I guess you can say. She loves fitting in at school, which isn't always a good thing. She always tells me how skinny I am and how fat she is! But, it seems that she's stopping that foolishness. Well, that's all I can think of. I'll add more later if I remember something else.

Also, I added a summer to-do list on the side bar. I really liked Diana's idea that keeping one on the blog will keep you responsible, so I created one myself, now that my summer has officially begun. Well, after my nutrition exam on Wednesday. Today I will be cleaning, and hopefully start to organize my clothes, then Parma with the youth.

Blessings,
Lesya

Family Outing

On June 16th a few family members decided to go celebrate the fact that I was still 18 :)

The kids. They were so impatient in getting their food! Nevertheless, they were well behaved! 

Sweet Andrew and mom :) Love them both! 

Nina, Karina, and I. I love my aunt. I can talk to her about anything. She has taught me so much life lessons. She's both a friend and mother figure (when I need it! ha!)

We met up with my other aunt at Macy's after Olive Garden to help her pick out plates, etc. The kids found a bed on display. Lol, I thought it was cute. Also, Lena told my mom that's what she wants for her's and Leah's room. I sure do feel the pressure to move out!

Of course, with kids a trip to the mall won't be complete without the pony rides :) I tell my mom, that she is lucky because she gets to experience having teens, and doing the fun things you do with kids at the same time.

Blessings,
Lesya