Absence

Hi all!

Personally I don't like when bloggers randomly stop blogging without an explanation. Well, that blogger was me this past month in a half.

Honestly, I don't know where to go from here. At one point I thought I should get rid of the blog altogether because it is the Internet and I am posting pictures and talking about my life. Do I make a fool out of myself? Then again, who cares about my blog on the Internet?? And, if you think it's foolish-that's ok! Don't read it!

So, I don't know. I restrained from blogging for a little while but my heat is still in it (does that sound silly?). Basically, I want to continue to blog. I loved scrolling through the past years' blog posts and recalling events I wouldn't have remembered otherwise. 

I don't know where to start regarding all that has happened in the last few months! One thing that comes to mind are the words I heard in a sermon: when you are in the center of God's will, you will be happy. I couldn't agree more. The Lord has been showing me His will for me for this present time so clearly and I am so thankful and so content. In the process He humbled me, and broke me of the "I" in me (and still is!), given me wisdom, and continues to lead me. Where would I be, and where would we all be, without Him?

Blessings,

Instantly: done at once

At out house, we hardly ever run out of milk. But when we do, it's a big deal. Monday night my sister texted me to buy milk after babysitting. I planned to go to Wegmans, but realized I did not have my credit card. 

 I got home and Lena's eyes went wide open. Before she could ask, I told her I did not have my card with me. Oh the tragedy. Oh the look of horror on her face. "You need to go to the gas station, you need to go now, and so on and so on..." My dad was ready to go out and get some. I told them how ridiculous it was. We are so used to getting what we want, and getting it "now."

This reminds me of Lena's NEED for a Vera Bradley lunchbox a few weeks ago. I ordered it after 5 minutes of her begging me. But that's another story. 

 When we want food, we expect to get it instantly and we usually do.

And then we get into this habit. We start playing a new instrument, we expect to be pro's in no time. We expect to be great at what we do (our careers) instantly. I keep saying "we." Maybe I shouldn't say that, but I'm sure I'm not the only one feeling this way. I see this in myself. It can easily become a lifestyle. I don't want to get caught up in expecting life to be this way because then we become impatient. We give up. We lose faith. We expect everything big or small, instantly.

We forget to be patient. To persevere.

  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control.

Galatians 5:22-23

Blessings,

Pinterest Fail

Pinterest has become such a "go-to" website for soooo many different things. I love just browsing and pinning things I will never maybe do. There is just so much. 
My favorite things to pin are recipes, and because the reviews are so great on so many of the dishes I am always anxious to try them. A few weeks ago I pinned a Honey Chicken recipe. 

Doesn't it look so good?? I thought it did and the comments were great regarding this chicken.

 
 Pinterest-Honey Chicken

I couldn't have disagreed more. It was not great at all. I did not mess up on the recipe. Let's just say the whole family ate and we still had plenty of leftovers. Clearly, it was not so great. How I love recipe fails. My aunt Nina did come over, and thought it tasted fine so I mean it was edible. I just always find it so hard to believe how people can talk so highly of not-so-great chicken dishes. 
Maybe they haven't had better? 

And another thing: American Cakes. I've given "American cakes" sooo many "chances" and Red-Velvet is their only decent cake in my opinion. American-cake lovers really need to try some Ukrainian cakes! 

I'll stop my rambling now :) 

Blessings,

Hurricane Sandy

Hi all. 

Quite frankly, the hurricane information coming in was so exciting to me. I checked the news Monday all day. It seemed so "adventurous." However, the deaths, the many people left without homes, the power outages, and the millions and millions of dollars in damage show just how minimal our capabilities as humans are, how minimal we are, and how powerful God's nature is.

Today I read a passage in the scripture that I wanted to share. 
Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the Lord, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. When the people cried out to Moses, he prayed to the Lord and the fire died down. So that place was called Taberah, because fire from the Lord had burned among them.
                                                                                                                           Numbers 11:1-3

I thought, wow. How often do I complain? How often do I anger God? It is a scary thing to think about the Lord's wrath coming down on us-people who have sooo much, but complain, don't follow the Word, etc. To me the question is, how long will the Lord withhold his wrath? As a nation, we are becoming ungodly, and full of selfish ambition.

But the Lord has been merciful! Disasters like Hurricane Sandy, droughts, etc. makes me wonder if people realize that maybe this is the Lord knocking, trying to tell a nation which was built on Goldy principle's to repent, and turn from our wicked ways.

Just like the people who were warned to evacuate their homes because of the hurricane, through such disasters I think the Lord is sending a warning to His children, His world. The content of the warning is a different one for every person.

Blessings,
Lesya

I Just Laugh

Hi all. 

When I get nervous I laugh. Seriously. 

I'm laughing these past few days because in the history of my college career, I've never had so many assignments due for one class in the last 6 weeks of classes,  than I do this semester in my literacy class. We have 2, 3, and sometimes 4 things due every week from now on. It is all time consuming work. Unrealistic of this professor, but I laugh. Olga and I have no words for this professors due date planning.

I'm laughing because I have a 15-18 page research paper due November 15th and I haven't started it yet. It seems still so far away-but it's not. I've done short research papers in the past and it is sooo time consuming. Trying not to think about it. I just like to think that in 6-7 weeks I will be done!

I'm also laughing because I got involved in yet another little situation. A literacy club on campus. I came to the first meeting because I really do LOVE literacy. It's my favorite thing to teach and to learn about. It's a newly forming club so when they asked who would like to be on the "board" of this club, I thought why not? Three others raised their hands after me. Now though, when we have to plan what we will do at every meeting, it seems to fall into my hands to do. What did I get myself into? I think to myself. We'll see how it goes. I feel like I am basically running the club right now :/ It's not a good thing when you want to do a good job, but don't have the time to do it.

I'm also laughing because Diana and I might be cooking for New Years. I have no words for this. It simply makes me nervous laugh. I do have to add that I love "the kitchen" so I am more excited and privileged than nervous. I really think this could actually work.

Finally, I'm laughing because I can't sleep. I've gone to sleep so easily these past few months. Now though it's the exact opposite. I lay away until late, and wake up before the alarm-tired, but can't fall back asleep. I don't feel "stressed" even though it sounds like it, but I'm thinking that maybe 5 hours of sleep is what my body needs. These past 2 nights I did not sleep well, but during the day I do not feel very tired, so time will tell. I don't have much time to sleep these next 6-7 weeks anyway.  

Blessings,
Lesya

Frazzled

Hi all. 

(At this point my blog is private for a few days, weeks, months. I don't know for how long at this point.)

So the sentence "hi all" doesn't seem fitting for now, but that is what it's been, and I'll keep it that way. I will be putting the blog back for all readers in a bit anyway. 

I am feeling so worn out right now-I don't even know if that is the word I'm looking for. 

The other day my cousin told me that she didn't know how I did it. Perfect human being, she said. 

 But I don't do it. My life becomes so overwhelming sometimes, and it's not because of school. 

For example, today I planned on coming home, practicing the piano, doing some homework, and checking out plane tickets for Ukraine. I came home to a house full of people. My mom's cousin came over to visit and it was so nice to see her, but I can get nothing done. They are probably staying for a few days. It's too loud to practice the piano, kids are all over the house playing with their new friend-their little son is 5. The kitchen is full of dishes, and the living room is covered with toys. I can't relax or get anything done in this atmosphere. Also, Lena needed help with her homework and gets frustrated while I try to help. I too, became impatient because I did not plan on spending a good half hour with her.

 I don't want to complain, and I am coming off as complaining. I want to be content but it is so hard. I even told my mom tonight about how I was feeling when she wasn't around everyone else-she totally understands. She said she thought it would get a little more activity free around here this fall, but it hasn't. 

So, when you come home, thinking you will be able to do this and that, and can't, because there are constant parties/people over, it gets overwhelming, especially after my usual long days. I love having people over. I say when I have my own house, I would love to host parties and such all the time. But here at home, it is getting out of hand it seems like. I feel like our house is a train station with people always in and out.

I know that this is only for a season, and one day I'm going to miss it. I would not change our big family for anything-but sometimes I want to change the amount of "fun" that comes with that, aka: people always coming over. 

Days like tonight, I feel like I can't handle it anymore. Maybe I'm just impatient, or I'm beginning losing my patience.  I don't know. 

Blessings,

Lesya

Mid-Semester

Hi all. 

It's almost mid-semester break around here, and time is flying quicker than ever with school. I'm at a point right now, where I really do not know where I will end up next fall at this time, or what I will be doing. Only the Lord knows. My grandmother did a good job of reminded me the other day saying that no matter what I plan, it will be the Lord's plan that prevails (the beauty of being a Christian). 

This past Monday I had no desire to get up and start the day. I prayed that God would give me the strength and wisdom to do all that I had to do-and He dad! He is so faithful and good. Many times in school I feel like I'm in the middle of a storm, unsure of how to get out or when it will pass, but in the end, without realizing, the rains pass and the sun comes! I find myself in awe of how everything came together. I could feel like I did not do well, but the results show the opposite. It's like I have to go through a few days of storm-my worries, anxieties, etc. in order to reach the sunny days when all I could think is to say, "thank you Lord." 

I'd like to share this Bible verse that sums up all I've been talking about. 

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

May all the glory be given to Jesus for all he has done for me and for you, in our weaknesses.

Blessings,

Lesya

Especially for My Nursing Friends

Today I was thinking about y'all. 

My grandpa had surgery-it was pretty minor, but I went in this morning to be with him and take him home. I ended up sitting with him for a few hours in the morning and watched the nurses interact with their patients.  

Some were soooo kind, so sweet, and so hard working. (Some just looked like they didn't want to be there, but there will always be those people in any workforce). I thought-wow what a beautiful thing it is to see wonderful nurses with such good hearts, going out of their way to help their patients as much as possible.

I helped my grandpa with minor things, like opening up his juice, bringing him water, etc., but it felt so good to help even with the littlest things. I thought, wow I could do this all day! (Well, you know what I mean-teaching is still very much my thing) but I loved serving him, I love serving people. Anyway, nurses, you get to serve various people everyday on the job! Love the people you treat, and learn to love your job even when you don't want to. It makes such a difference for the patients you treat.

So, no matter where you work, what you do, how the patients act-nurses do your best, and serve them as if you were serving Christ!

 "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men..." Ephesians 6:7

Blessings,

Lesya

When A Guilty Reality Hit

Hi all.

 Life has pretty much been mundane lately. It's the same ol' church, school, homework, and work; I've had this schedule for the past few years of my life. I'm used to it. I know I'll miss it one day. But on days like this past Monday-late at night, I was doing my work and just started crying! I cried because I felt like such a bad daughter, friend and mostly sister! It all started when Lena told me she did not understand her homework because she missed school, and she forgot that night's homework-she was almost crying because there was a possibility she wouldn't be able to participate in Friday Fun Time.

The three sisters.

I just looked at her, lectured her, said I was sorry I couldn't help her with the math she didn't get because I wasn't home. A few hours into the night, when all were sound asleep I just started to think about how fast time flys by and how sad that I spend it all on myself and so little with my family, and doing other meaningful things: sitting down with the kids to do their homework with them, take Andrew to the store, read with them, etc. (all basically family related). I just know the kids will all grow up so quickly, and I want to treasure this time and use it wisely. It just breaks me heart when Andrew asks me to take him somewhere and I can't because I always have something else "important" going on.  As an added bonus, my homework was extra difficult that night and so I started to feel like I just might not be able to do this college thing (here I go again...) so not only was I failing my family, but myself as well. It felt better to cry and cry. I felt guilty for things that are beyond my control right now-I realize that now.

Then all of a sudden, I realized I was humming a song. Seriously, the Lord put that song on my heart because I didn't consciously decide to hum it. I decided to repeat it because I wasn't sure what I was humming. 

 

Then I realized it was one of the kids worship songs that I had learned and planned to teach the kids, but haven't gotten to it. It's the words of Proverbs 3:5-6 sang to a simple tune. 

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

As you can imagine, I wanted to cry even more after I realized I was humming this song!

The moment was such a God moment because He came to comfort me and put a song on my heart that I didn't know I needed. God gave me peace once again, showing me that He will get me through these mundane college years, even when they feel like you've forsaken so much in life, for it. 

Blessings,

Lesya

Loving Jesus. Loving Others.

HI all.

This summer is sure flying by it seems!

This summer has really been busy, and so I find myself not reading the Word consistently, not praying as much as I should, and sadly, not being the person I want to be.

Naturally, (as most of you probably know!) I'm not a genuinely kind person. For the past year, that's what I've been striving to be. I always look at my mom and pray that if I can be half of the person she is, and I come short of even that.

It's so easy to be kind to those who are kind to us, to those that are our friends.

What's hard is being good to those who use you, who are mean to you, who don't desire good for you.
What's amazing about my mom is that it's so easy for her to look past these flaws in people, and just continue to do good to them, to love them, and be their friend.

For me, it's the opposite. I have to pray sooo much to like I said-be half the person my mom is. Just as  importantly, I have to read God's Word. When I read it, it becomes so easy to love.

Lately I haven't been asking God for strength in this area of my life, I haven't been meditating on verses from the Bible regarding all of this.

And it shows. At least to me. I never realized how MUCH reading the Bible affects me as a person, my character and my attitude. I don't know if because prior to summer I read so much of the Bible and God was really changing my heart and attitude towards people, things of this life, etc. more than ever before in my life.Then, this past month I went back to simply reading the Bible when I had a few "extra" minutes in the day. I pray short prayers. I've never asked God to help me to love people prior to this year, but when I did, it became so easy. Now I see my old nature rise in me, and it kills me. I don't want to be the person I used to be.

I want to be like Christ. I want to be kind, to do good, not looking for anything in return, to love others, to pray for others more than I pray for myself. I don't want to live a selfish life.
I think that is one of my greatest desires-to have a servant's heart. To serve others, regardless of who they are. Loving people like Jesus loved us is the beginning of being a servant, because when you love people, you want to serve them, regardless of how the've treated you.

Blessings,
Lesya

Thoughts that come to mind

Hi all. Laptop fixed...needs to be picked up...I don't have time...hopefully brothers or dad will get it one of these days Condition of my room: unorganized. I need to refold my clothes and bring some binders to the attic. One thing that is hrs for me to handle are unorganized shelves/drawers. I think I'll get up early before work to get some of those things done because there just isn't any other time. (even now Lena is trying to fall asleep so I cant have the lights on...usually I tell her to deal with it but today I am being nice). What do I do that I don't have time? Well work basically....it's a busy time getting ready for orientation and I know the person I work for wants me to come in as much as possible so I feel bad. Also, summer class: at least 300 pages of reading for each class. It is so time consuming. For today I didn't have time to read so I prayed that I can come up with something to discuss and the Lord had mercy! Today was the preschool graduation so that was fun, then we went out for lunch with the teachers. I will share pictures when I get my laptop. I went to work and then had class. Tomorrow I am working, then, tutoring,and getting home at 7 and hopefully will have enough energy to study for my first exam Wednesday. All this is sorandom but I write it for myself to reflect on later in life when I am much older and wiser. Blessings, Lesya

A Few Good and Not So Good Things

Hi all! So a major reason I have not been blogging is because my Mac has been particularly slow. I made an appointment with the apple genius guys and went in this evening after my oh so long day. Basically my harddrive crashed. It isn't such a good thing because I never took advantage of the time machine that is on every Mac to back everything up so the biggest thing I'm losing are photos....which is okay. ALso I had many recipes and things bookmarked and all of that is gone but I'm not bummed-even about the photos because the good news is that my insurance was ending in 26 days sooo if the crash would have happened anyway this is a good time for it! So it'll be nice having a new start on the laptop. In other news...today I got an iPad. I am posting from it right now. I loved how Roman used his to store piano songs and play from it and so we were all talking and and I mentioned that I kind of wanted to get one. My dad overheard and basically gave me the money for it. Roman and I went and got it in the few hours that I was free this morning. Anyway, my dad just blows me away sometimes...but them again He is overly generous to us kids. I could have bought this technological device, but He insisted on giving me the money... So that was a good thing....the next not so good thing is that I did not do any of my summer class reading homework for class Monday because I was just so busy...tomorrow we are going to my cousin Natasha's birthday party and to her church...may have to bring the many readings there. Going to my cousin's is a good thing thing but I guess I will have to bring not so good homework with me. My final good thing is that today at the mall I had no desire to buy anything...and so I didn't :) Blessings, Lesya

Study Breaks

Hi all.

A few posts ago I talked about busyness simply being a way of life. 

So, I said I'd create a list of things I call relaxing for me; like I said, I can't simply do nothing to relax.

This is basically what I do to relax from school work, or whatever else makes up my long days. During the summer I think it's different, didn't really think about it. It's more like work, family/friends, church, church activities. No slowing down. 

• Visit one of my cousins'/aunts house
• Listen to an audio book or sermon and fold my clothes/laundry/iron. (I can't not be doing anything when I am listening because I always think to myself-I'm wasting my time...which sometimes I wish I didn't think this way)
• Read the Bible-sometimes between classes, or at home during study breaks
• Organize my iphoto picture
• Going to church-I can chose to stay home (especially after a long day) and "relax" but I'd rather chose church.
•  Read blogs, answer e-mails, shop online-oh people, do not get into this one.
• Clean the kitchen table-lol. I love to do this when I'm in the middle of studying and just can't go on because I don't feel like doing hmwk any more, I go downstairs clean the table, there's always something the kids are eating, and then walk upstairs to accomplish the dreadful task!
• Talk on the phone-I don't choose this. They call. If mother isn't home, I have to talk, so that becomes my few minutes to a half hour of getting away from the daily busyness of school.
• Cook/bake! 
• Watch cooking shows-but I can't just sit there and watch, unless I'm watching late at night and am in bed. I have to be doing something and watching. It's weird. I feel guilty if I'm not doing anything. 
• Play with the kids.

And so, I always make myself busy. Today it was so weird. I came home and thought, wow, I have an afternoon where I don't have an obligations. I helped my mom a bit. Then I chose to vacuum my car and just now was listening to an audio book called Trusting God, and organizing my church clothes. I feel accomplished for the day  :)

This is such a weird post. Don't judge as my cousin Irina would say ;).

Blessings,

Lesya

Keeping Busy

Hi all. 

I mentioned a few posts ago that I love figuring "things" out about myself. Usually I find out these "things" by reflecting on how I responded in certain situations or by reflecting on how others responded/act, and then think about how I would respond if it had been me. 

Anyway, one day, driving home from school I started wishing I had some free time. Free time is a very general term. I guess I reflected on how I never had a time of relaxation/fun. I could have had it, had I not graduated early. It's all about choices. (Looking back though, I am sooo glad I did-I would just be starting the program, had I not graduated early. No thank you-so glad with where I am today). Ok, so that sounds contradictory because I was wishing for some free time, yet I am glad I never got that free time. 

Well, it hit me then. I just can't not be doing something. When I had those days off over winter break, and even during the summer, and I relaxed I went to bed feeling so unaccomplished and I cannot stand that feeling. On days that I am busy, and get a lot done, I go to sleep satisfied, and feeling accomplished for the day. 

Of course, for everyone busy means something different. I don't know, I understand that compared to some people, I am not be so busy-it's all a matter of perspective. 

Then I realized why God always works things out in my life the way the He does. He knows me too well and He wants me to be happy, and busyness is what works for me. In addition, when I am busy I am also reading the Word more and focusing on God because I think ahead. When you know you don't have much time to do something you plan. On days when there is less to do, I think, oh I'll read the Bible later, I have plenty of time and it doesn't always work out that way!

I know this sounds so silly because sometimes I think is it is all in my head that I think I'm busy?  I don't know...I also think busyness it a way of life. I enjoy it because I feel accomplished at the end of the day and so it works for me. I don't think people need to sit back and relax necessarily especially if you are busy with what you love to do. 

Hmm...next time I think I will post about things I love to keep busy with-those are also the ways I relax. Relaxing does not have to be sitting and doing nothing :)

Oh how much I will enjoy these posts when I get older...lol

Blessings,

Lesya

Who was I kidding? Part 2

Hi all. 

My posts are so "corny." I realize that, but it is what it is.

Anyway, if you actually read the last post, the suspense "story" ended with me receiving a text. 

Anyway, it was that same Monday morning after I prayed about this coming summer. 

Erin, the mom I babysit for told me that they were allowing the office she works in to hire a work study person.

So just like that...all the summer accomplishments I'd planned, changed.

 I came to her office the next day. Erin works with transfer students...but in that same office, another lady works with the first year experience students-basically incoming freshman. I will be taking phone calls, Erin says I have such a calm demeanor, (you all can judge if that's true ;)) so I'll be able to calm down anxious parents. I guess I can put on my soothing "teacher" voice ;) that many say is not so soothing ;) 

I will also be preparing for orientations and doing the behind the scene's things that lead to those events-basically the kind of things I love to do. I love jobs where you are active/busy and doing different tasks (that's why teaching is so great) so I am greatful for this summer job. 

 Best of all, they are so very flexible-telling me to come in whenever I can, etc., but between 20-30 hours a week, plus I want to use up all my work study money. 

So, this is a tentative schedule of mine for the month of May. A few things have already changed, but the idea here is that I am not going to have a free week day until Memorial Day. Also, since I have something going on the 19th, my only Saturday off will be the 26th. Then it's June with youth camp that first weekend.

Anyway, point is, no break. I thought I would have a "relaxing" exam week, but of course how could I even think that, there is always something-like subbing all week. So now I have papers and subbing and praying I get it all done and done well! 

I am not complaining that I have a busy May but I did want some sort of break, just to "do nothing" but then again, I can't just not do anything. Who was I kidding when I thought I would have a laid back summer-knowing how things always turn out in my life.

This leads me into a topic I want to cover of busyness in my life. I love learning about myself and so I want to document that life aspect in the next post as well. (See, at this point, I just want to make the blog private because I feel like these posts are so awkward for friends to read...but then again you don't have to read them, just don't make fun of me ;) ) 

Blessings,

Lesya

Who was I kidding?

Hi all. 

So...I am taking a litter little break from writing my paper right now...
Thank you Diana for noticing that litter break typo! I thought I would leave my typo up so y'all can have a little laugh. Diana texted me and boy did it make me laugh out loud in class!

So last Monday morning I prayed about what is in store for me for the summer. I wasn't sure if my Brockport summer job was going to work out, so I just prayed about it and was totally fine with not working. 

I even had some plans in mind....

I would spend a lot of time with the kids

Like go to water parks, the zoo, the playground, library, the mall (for Lena!) I thought it would be so fun to have weekly activities to do with them-something different every week.

I thought I would get back into sewing-well I was never really into it but you know do it for fun, maybe improve along the way? :) via

Cook, try out my many new bookmarked recipes that would fill every day of the summer months. via

Focus on my one summer course in June-not worry about working and doing well in the summer course. I also planned on buying/finding educational resources on different topics for teachers on teaching, classroom management, students, assessment, etc etc etc. I want to be as knowledgeable as I can in my field. Lol.  via

I had other things on my list such as organize, clean, etc etc. you get the idea...I had fun summer plans. Yes all these things like cleaning are enjoyable for me. I'm strange interesting like that.

Anyway, all that changed when I received a text message....

(I will leave it at that to create some suspense. Just kidding, I really need to get back to my paper. My goal is to finish it by morning so I will continue during another writing break. Lol.)

Blessings,

Lesya

Reflecting on God's Goodness

Hi all.

God is just soo good. This week especially. I was thinking so much about His merciful hand. Then it got me thinking, well how would I react when things do not go according to plan? Recently I have felt like God has just been working everything out so well for me and I don't know-it becomes so easy to praise God for everything. But, what if He throws something unexpected along the way? Kind of like that car accident I had to go through-which clearly was a bump in the road. I don't know. I know that I am in God's hands, but it is so hard for me to accept God's goodness in my life. I feel soo unworthy. I know I am his child, but still. I guess for me the question is why is God so good to ME? I know He is good, no matter the circumstances we are in but I have just been so humbled by His goodness.

I don't know if I am making any sense, but one thing I know is that if you abide in Christ, He will abide in you, even the storms, or the "stress" in our life will seem like nothing. 

Just a little testimony: I was so "stressed" about this week. I had so much to do and had very little time to do everything during the weekend. During the weekdays, I had to sub so I was anxious about not studying for my exams enough, and doing well on my papers. I raised my hand in church on Sunday basically to ask for prayer for the week concerning worldly things: school. Anyway, everything worked out so well. I myself, was shocked with how well I did on all my assignments/exams. All glory to God-for I certainly did not study enough. Even in my busyness I made it a priority to spend time with God everyday and God made everything seem so simple, and worked everything out. In this I learned, no matter how busy you get during the week, trust God, and MAKE time to spend with Him in the word and prayer. Life is so much easier this way!  I know this is something we all know, but for me at least, I constantly need reminders.

Blessings,

Lesya

Bullets of Randomness

Hi everyone.

There has been so much little things that have been happening that I'd like to remember so I'll bullet what's been going on. You'll probably be bored because it is my little life, but maybe you're like me and like to know what's going on in your friends' lives, in that case, read on.

Where to start??

• No goals for April, except to finish off the semester well. I'm devoting all my time to school work. I have 3 1/2 weeks left! (I don't have any exams during exam week, except we come in to meet our pen pals.) After this, one more year. I can see an end to this "season of life" and I don't mind! 

• I can say that I am a victim of credit card fraud :( Thank God the banks track this and Chase let me know right away and will send me a new card. I could not buy something in the Brockport Dining hall, and a few hours later shop at a Home Depot in Washington.

•  Y'all know that I tutor. Well lately, my little boys haven't been feeling like doing any work! I always bring them prizes, and if they finish their work, they get one-at least that was how I set it up to work. In reality, I come and they almost cry if they didn't finish their work because they know they won't get a prize so I tell them not to worry "you'll get a prize anyway! It's okay, I understand." Well there I went from being strict and nice to simply nice. They started slacking even more. This past week I did not give them a prize because their mom said not to because again they didn't finish their work. I feel like for the past few weeks they haven't been enjoying our time together, and it makes me sad, all because we start off on a "um Lesya, I didn't finish my homework note..." 

•  Moving on...last week I slept so well. I fell asleep in less than an hour and woke up to my alarm, not before. I thought, wow this is great. I spoke too soon. Monday night I slept over Nina's (because her husband was working and she doesn't like being alone) and did not sleep all night! At 3 am I fell asleep, but woke up shortly after, this continued for the rest of the night. Slept for a half hour, then woke up. I missed my first class to get some sleep in the morning, and even then couldn't sleep. I felt sleep deprived the rest of the day but made it through my night class. It was the worse in my 3:30 class where my eyes were just closing! It feels like torture a little bit. I have stopped drinking teas and coffee. Last night I did fall asleep quickly but constantly woke up in the middle of the night.

•  Even more random...I have been e-mailing one of my friends. That is how we "talk" and I love it. It's so cool to in the middle of the school day, open your e-mail to someone's message-so different from texting and we have such great conversations. I am thankful for that.  

•  I know I write about Leah so much. Today I told my mom that "you just don't know how much I love her." She is just the sweetest, smartest, cutest thing! Usually I don't see her all day, and by the time I come home I miss her so much. Today she told my mom,  "I love Lesya." (Maybe because I didn't sleep at home for the past two nights. I love hearing that :) Today she told me "Lesya we need to go to the store because I need to buy a chair and a table because I don't have one." Oh boy, not another Lena. 

• Lena. Oh Lena. This is what is on her list of "what she has to have" desires right now. Color Duck Tape. A Love PINK sweater. A North Face sweater.  Pink Legos.

• Another thing. I am currently reading through Genesis and the story or Joseph is just so eye opening every single time I read it. He had so much to complain about, but he didn't, at least we don't read of it. It did not seem that he pitied himself in his situation. I just think that story is just so powerful. 

• While in NYC Nick sent me a picture of this:

Earlier that week my Mom casually mentioned if I wanted chicks. Nope nope nope. Well over the weekend they got them. Now they are under a light in a box thing and everyone just loves them. I don't really care for them. My mom even loves them. I guess we got them for fun and probably won't keep them for being our egg supply, but we'll see.

Looking back at my March Goals

Hi friends.
Thoughts on my March goals are in red.

My goals for this month are:

Read half of the book called The Holy Spirit From Genesis To Revelation by J. Swaggart
 It's a study guide book and very much a great resource. -I only read a few pages into it :( sadly did not have much time

Type up 10 Kid's Worship Songs into our song binder.
Last month I found many, now I have to put them in the correct format. I almost reached this one. I didn't get ten, but came close to it-in the next few days I will surely finish with this.

Don't do any more shopping. 

This may sound silly, but it is what it is. Last time I bought something was February 3rd, so I almost made it the whole month. I tried!

Listen to a Times Square Sermon. The sermon kept freezing on me but I did listen to a youtube video sermon on being a "Godly Woman" that Luba recommended to me.

Memorize 4 Bible verses.  

Last month I failed, and memorized 3. This month I failed even more-memorizing only 1. I had the second one but never began to memorize it. I'm not giving up though. It's just that during the week it gets so hectic and busy and if it isn't a "priority" in a sense then it won't get done.

Compile "a bunch" of worship/songs appropriate for youth prayer. Thanks to the help of cousin Ira-family what can I say-(she had a little booklet of worship songs) I have found many good ones to use. Still have to go back for the Ukrainian ones in there. 

Exercise my back every night before bed (for 5 minutes?)
I'm not flexiblel at all! I always thought about exercising it but didn't really "get to it." Honestly I kept on forgetting!! When I was almost falling asleep, I'd remember so this will continue on in April.

Some goals from last month will be on going such as eating healthy, drinking water, etc.

I have spring break in March so hopefully I will be accomplishing more than is on this list. I have a few other things on the back of my mind.- Spring Break was busier than I imagined but I did not waste time during it :)

Blessings,
Lesya

First Blogiversary

Hi everyone =)

I can't help but post that today marks a year since I began blogging! I think I created the blog on the 25th (it was a Friday night) and Saturday morning the 26th I wrote my first post -"Prioritizing Time." Diana, still teases me about that post. 

Anyway...just a few words about it. When I first started it was so exciting and now it has become a normal part of my life. Occasionally, I look back at some of the posts and love remembering the memories. 

This time last year I had just gotten accepted into the education program and was almost halfway done with school. This year, I am 3/4 of the way done. It's still hard to sometimes believe; but with that comes fear...still so much I have to do. This past year though, my relationship with the Lord has grown so when that fear creeps in it's good to know that It's in the Saviors Hands (there is a hymn titled this) and it is much easier for me to give things up to God. 

Blessings,

Lesya