tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61533108984275432342024-03-18T21:29:17.318-07:00Whole Lotta LoveFind our new blog at www.wideawakefamily.comJed and Kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872131378295559980noreply@blogger.comBlogger135125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153310898427543234.post-24408773400940291342013-09-03T22:36:00.005-07:002013-09-03T22:36:54.484-07:00Movin' On<span style="font-size: large;">Welp, the time has come. I've officially become a Wordpress girl. Soooo....being the hi-tech gal that I am, I managed to move all the content from this blog on over to our new blog (that actually has a name relevant to the stuff we talk about..ha!). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>You can find our new blog at <a href="http://wideawakefamily.com/">wideawakefamily.com </a></b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">That isn't the official Wide Awake International site, it's just the new spot for this family blog. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Soooo don't come here anymore, 'cause it will be really boring. :) I hope to hear from you at our fancy schmancy new spot! </span><br />
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<br />Jed and Kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872131378295559980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153310898427543234.post-44849017991221789142013-08-22T14:07:00.001-07:002013-08-22T14:09:44.825-07:00Guess What We Just Did??<span style="font-size: large;">Today. Today is a very big day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today we sat down at the computer and bought 6 one-way tickets to Ukraine. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After we finished our transaction Jed and I just stood there looking at each other with really stupid grins on our faces. HA! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"We just did that!" </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've traveled a lot, but I've never, ever bought a one-way ticket...or SIX one-way tickets! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">God is so faithful to us. We had budgeted $7,000 for airfare based on the rates we had seen and paid before. The tickets we bought this morning totaled a whoppin' $3,600. WHAT??? That's right! Praise God! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, November 12th (<b>11/12/13</b>...yes!) we'll be leavin' on a jet plane, bound for our new life in Ukraine. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Giddy doesn't even begin to describe it. Scared out of our brains doesn't even begin to describe it either. Happy as clams and sad as can be at the same time. 82 days and we'll be off! YEEHAW! </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Do you have questions for us? I'm preparing to do a big detail-filled post for your reading pleasure :) We try to fill you all in on the details, but it's easy to forget what we've told people and what we just <b>think</b> we've told people. Ask away and we'll be more than happy to give you an answer!</span></i></div>
Jed and Kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872131378295559980noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153310898427543234.post-21187263117010161742013-08-19T22:54:00.002-07:002013-08-19T22:58:45.229-07:00Tangled Up Knots of Goodness<b><span style="font-size: large;">"Then he isn't safe?" said Lucy.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">"Safe?" said Mr. Beaver; "don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you."</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">-<i>The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe</i></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We've been reading <i>The Chronicles of Narnia </i>aloud for the past few weeks. First we read <i>The Magicians Nephew</i>, and we just finished <i>The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe</i> today. Wow. So timely. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This thing is really happening. How did it get to be almost the end of August? This is really happening- and it's happening soon. I wish I could put into words the way I feel, the wild knot of emotions that run through my heart and mind all day these days. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As we're cleaning out our two rooms here in our temporary home in preparation for our final garage sale, I find myself almost unable to wrap my brain around the fact of what needs to go. This is it. We aren't storing anything but keepsakes. There's no back-up-plan storage unit filled with our stuff "just in case". It all has to go. All In. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A Bible study for moms is starting up at church in September, and I'll only be around for a couple of the sessions...then they'll continue to meet and I'll be gone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our Home School co-op will continue, plans being made for the year and we won't be there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At church camp this past weekend I was chatting with a missions friend about the massive intimidation of the Russian language and he said "Don't worry. Take your time. Think long-term; you've got years to learn it!" OMG. I guess I hadn't thought about it that way! :) This isn't a crash course in Russian, this is life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm so excited for what God has. I've never felt more alive or more filled with faith than I do right now. I've never known, like I know now that we are exactly, precisely in the palm of God's hand. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In some moments I don't worry at all. In some moments I feel giddy about what this new life will bring, fairly bursting with optimism, peace, hope, and joy in the journey. In other moments I feel afraid, overwhelmed, and a little like I know we have absolutely no idea what we are getting ourselves into. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, you probably get the idea that the knot of emotions and thoughts is pretty impossible to untangle right now. But that's okay! It's messy, but it's okay. All God is asking of us is to say yes to Him, and to trust in His goodness. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-size: large;">Tonight, whatever you are facing, whatever 'yes' God is calling you to- trust in His goodness. All He is asking for is your yes. It might not feel safe. It might feel really uncomfortable. It might feel scary. You might not be able to predict the outcome. You might not be able to wrap your brain around the sacrifice, but I guarantee you also can't wrap your brain around the joy. I know I can't, but I'm already getting amazing glimpses! It is our joy, it is <b>your</b> joy to say yes to Him. Think about that day when all has been said and done and we stand before our King, our Love, our Friend. Will it matter if we were safe and comfy? Or will we take a deep breath after a life completely spent for Him and think "Whew! Now that was a wild ride!" </span></div>
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Jed and Kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872131378295559980noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153310898427543234.post-2389812033073582312013-08-06T09:42:00.001-07:002013-08-06T09:42:45.598-07:00Saying YES is SO FUN. <span style="font-size: large;">We are alive! We really are!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have been a bit of a blog slacker lately, it's true. It's not because I have nothing to say...we all know that would never be the case! ;) It's just that we've been go, go, going like crazy and I simply haven't had the time to tell you all about it.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious stop along the way</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm a broken record, but I really can't believe how good God is. Every time we have a worry He covers it. A couple weeks ago we were worried about how we would be able to get the word out further than just the people we know right now. We didn't have speaking engagements lined up, though we'd put the word out to many, many pastors. We just weren't getting a response. Oh dear, how we love to just hop in and take matters into our own hands. All the while God just watches us with a little smirk on His face like "Oh this'll rich. I can't wait to see what they do." And all the while He KNOWS exactly what HE wants to do, and if we'll be still enough to give Him the right of way things turn out so much better. Whew. Still learning that one...obviously.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tongue of concentration</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZmGurmhDBrXjs76Z8QeryW17zOXxpf4WM2PBjKI9wwA3ZS7nZceCIkDXy0yIYogYSwqTJtGjQg7sZoVG9Ri9HaHjGbmYuRAQ4PSbOtttIkMgDNAl7RHwpWdNnCjgTI2yUbZEghzX67G3/s1600/photo(43)-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZmGurmhDBrXjs76Z8QeryW17zOXxpf4WM2PBjKI9wwA3ZS7nZceCIkDXy0yIYogYSwqTJtGjQg7sZoVG9Ri9HaHjGbmYuRAQ4PSbOtttIkMgDNAl7RHwpWdNnCjgTI2yUbZEghzX67G3/s400/photo(43)-001.JPG" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were worried about getting the chance to share and then when we had nothing left to do but sit and wait God had His way. BAM. We've been busier than ever sharing the word about Wide Awake and it couldn't be more awesome.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A couple weeks ago we got to share about Wide Awake with a church on the coast. The people were so welcoming, so warm, almost giddy with excitement to hear what God is doing. Awesome.</span><br />
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<img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdFncBPlEpRtk7SXQBnBKwnEVMn9GyFYD3TVPTWVmBitLiD72g6FHEQtzwGaqz-Oy4CHTOJyDaen3fhXHM6XfVbQNevZnDCnblF0JZF_HMcmbofOrBA-XTvlJK1Pj9imkVKwTjPljZ2jo/s400/1001060_717761852848_754291552_n.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then this past weekend we got the extreme honor to share Wide Awake and our story of "Yes" with the Vineyard youth of the NW at "Anthem", the NW regional youth conference. Oh man, so stinkin' fun.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We stood in awe as many young men and women said yes to Jesus. We got to pray over them, encourage them, cheer them on in following Jesus one step at a time. We cried tears of joy as one girl said yes to Jesus for the very first time. The Vineyard youth of the NW are AWESOME. We made many new friends and hopefully we'll see many of them in Ukraine some day sayin' yes to Jesus. :)</span><br />
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<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-eN8Z5QEUPLdgX3UrddZl0z2pTLhtlbWR4ZaQUKWCCyGQjWpVAtBPdUkgyId8HrHTTvzm4gSZ7fZUKLX5DEnymMCid9EIYkh6HIny8O8m1i-itf__iSoBTdD5-NTKvK6oJDpqJgySl2Sw/s400/76017_10201612768983901_509604184_n.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A big bonus of the trip was that several pastors who were there with their youth got to hear about Wide Awake and we've been invited to share at 4 more churches! Praise God for that big answer to prayer! The visions and dreams God has given us are too big for our church to support on its own. Many, many hearts must get behind this thing. We are thankful for the opportunity to share with whoever will listen!</span><br />
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRd5Zb8uy2mf3SHbKYDa4npSIHi3QM6LbRTf3kKNbCqzff6uSlZyROzveeZsoHIRZzD1LjHyWBK6jOnkLvbklf9S3R1aihxFUzC5uIZSFDRb1xb5laWgTFgtUF3zZyuO-lR2kZ9K3Nicpx/s400/1014178_10201639767892820_1486193803_n.jpg" width="297" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>What's up next</b></u></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-The Wide Awake website should be up and running THIS WEEK! Be on the lookout! That webpage will be a great place to direct your friends who need to hear about Wide Awake. It will also have easy ways to give financial support online.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">-This blog will soon be moved to a Wordpress site. I'll let you know when that happens, but just be forewarned...changes are a'comin!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">-We'll be traveling almost every weekend between now and October, sharing Wide Awake at churches, saying goodbye to faraway family, and spending precious time with dear friends.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">-This is Jed's last week of full-time work as he transitions out of his job. His last day of work at his current job is September 12th. (just typing that gives me goosebumps on my arms and butterflies in my stomach simultaneously)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If things go as planned we'll be making our big move in approximately 14 weeks. Good gravy.</span><br />
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<i>PS: Although we have a lot of speaking dates lined up we are not too busy to share with you and your friends! We would love to come to your home or your small group to share about Wide Awake. We have all the time in the world to answer questions and meet with those who want to hear. Bring it! </i></div>
Jed and Kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872131378295559980noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153310898427543234.post-566145478562107822013-07-21T15:59:00.001-07:002013-07-21T15:59:44.437-07:00All In.<span style="font-size: large;">Home again! The National Vineyard Leaders Conference was basically amazing awesomeness wrapped up in wonderfulness.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Best.Time.Ever. I loved every second of it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Truth be told, I was a bit nervous heading into this conference. I may, or may not have shed a few tears over it in nervous anticipation. Ha! I wanted Jed to be the one to represent us, but he had to work, so he sent me instead. He's the "connector extraordinaire". I'm usually too busy herding kids to do much connecting. But, God definitely had a plan for me this week. I'm still reeling in the wonder of it all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is an absolutely amazing time to be a part of the <a href="http://www.vineyardusa.org/site/" target="_blank">Vineyard</a> family. God is calling the Vineyard out in the areas of justice, mercy, and compassion like never before. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>"If we're Kingdom people- believing that God's kingdom is coming to earth right here and now- than we should be the frontrunners in justice, mercy, and compassion ministries"</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-<a href="http://i-61.org/" target="_blank">Tri Robinson</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">YES!!! Oh man, I loved it when I heard those words spoken. To see a room jam packed with Vineyard folks wanting to know how their body can better serve the lost and forgotten did my heart good. I won't soon forget it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The theme of the conference was "All In". "All In" has two meanings. One meaning is that all ages are "All In". <b>All </b>are needed for God's full purposes to be accomplished. We don't just need the young- forgetting about the wisdom of the old. We don't just need the older- forgetting about the energy of the young. No. ALL are needed in this movement. We honor what each age can bring to the table. Everyone gets to play. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The second meaning of "All In", is that we are <i>ALL IN</i>. Not just dipping our toes in the things of God, not just testing the waters. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">No. We are ALL IN. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">"We believe that if the pursuit if the Kingdom of God is worth anything, it's worth everything." </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">-Phil Strout</span> (National Director, Vineyard USA)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He is worth everything. EVERYTHING. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Why not? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What have we got to lose? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One speaker that I loved was talking about the fear of the Lord. He said that what we fear most is what we love most, what we want most in life. We should fear losing sight of Jesus more than anything else. More than fear of failure, fear of change, fear of losing my kids, fear of giving everything up...we should fear the Lord above all else. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We're giving up just about everything to move to Ukraine. We're all in. But what do I fear? I find myself fearing how my kids will do. I find myself wondering if our kids will hate us for this decision. I find myself fearing failure. But, why? If my kids are perfectly safe and comfy, but I have lost sight of Jesus, than it's all for not. We must step outside of our coziness, our need for safety and control and fall into His arms. <b>ALL IN</b>. Fear losing sight of Him over fear of losing control, fear of being unsafe. Jesus never called us to safety. He bid us come and die. Only then will we know true life. Oh boy, I want true life so badly. I want to be all in- holding nothing back. What have I got to lose? If He is my reason for being...why not spend myself for Him? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All In is saying yes. Step, by step, by step we say Yes to Him. Comfort, my expectations, safety, all move aside in order that I might keep Him in my sights. </span></div>
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<b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it."</span></b><br />
<b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Matthew 10:37-39 </span></b></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: large;">Will you dive ALL IN with us? What if you stayed on the same path you're on for the rest of your life? Would it lead to Him? What if? What if you said yes to Him today, and the next day, and the next day? What have you got to lose? Whatever it is, He is worth it. </span></div>
Jed and Kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872131378295559980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153310898427543234.post-76809356768358281952013-07-15T12:12:00.000-07:002013-07-15T12:54:20.022-07:00Good Gifts<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. </b></div>
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<b>He will take great delight in you, </b></div>
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<b>he will quiet you with his love, </b></div>
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<b>he will rejoice over you with singing."</b></div>
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<b>Zephaniah 3:17</b></div>
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You know that feeling when you're about to surprise your kids with something they really love? I don't know about you, but when I know I'm about to bring my kids joy I can hardly contain myself. I get so excited, looking forward to their reaction- the squeals (or screams) of joy, the huge smiles, the knocking-over-with-force hugs. The fun things in life are that much more fun when I get to watch my kids enjoy them. I delight in my children. Greatly.</div>
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Yesterday I learned that no matter if my kids are small or grown, that delight in watching their joy won't end. The same with our God. He delights in us, His kids. He LOVES bringing us joy and giving us good gifts.</div>
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So, I'm here in Anaheim for the National Vineyard Conference. When my dad heard I was heading to Anaheim for this thing and we would be arriving a couple days early, he asked the burning question, "Are you going to Disneyland?" Well, if you know me at all you know that I absolutely ADORE Disneyland. I can't even adequately describe to you my love for all things Disneyland. I love everything about it. It's my most favorite place ever. But, we were just given a trip to Disneyland in March and we're trying to pinch every penny to save for our big move, so I didn't think I could justify spending the money for a day in Disneyland. My dad, delighting in his grown-up daughter simply replied, "Oh, you're going to Disneyland!" He said if I could find a way to get there he would pay my way to spend the day. You should have seen the grin on his face when he saw my joy. Dad's love giving good gifts to their kids. </div>
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So, the question remained, "how would I get to Disneyland?" I was coming to the conference with our pastor (Lanny), his wife (Anne), and their two grown daughters (Christen and Abby). I knew I wouldn't have a car, so I would just have to wait and see if it worked out. We arrived in Anaheim and realized the little condo we are staying in is literally RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET from Disneyland!!!! Shut the front door!!! Case closed. Disneyland was definitely happening on Sunday. (Plus the wifi password at the condo is "TO DISNEYLAND". I took that as another sign.) ;) </div>
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On Saturday night as I prepared for Disney I was super excited, but a tad bummed that I was going by myself. I mean, don't get me wrong, I could enjoy Disneyland alone- no problem. But, I did realize it's much more fun to share your joy with someone else. Annnnddddd the love of parents stepped in again. Abby, Christen, and I were in the bedroom chatting and Anne walked in and asked the girls "Do you guys want to go to Disneyland with Kim in the morning?" You should have seen the looks on their faces. "Ummm OF COURSE!" Anne let the girls know they would pay for them to go to Disneyland in the morning. No matter what the age, parents love delighting in their children and giving them good gifts. (I may, or may not have been jumping on the bed with joy...)</div>
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I know you might find it cheesy for me to use Disneyland to talk about the Father God's love for His kids, but if you do, you don't know me well enough, or understand the extent of my love for Disneyland. :) When we were on Space Mountain I was just laughing- out loud! I could not believe God gave me that opportunity before we head to Ukraine. Before heading to Anaheim I actually had quite a bit of nervousness and anxiety about attending the conference. I felt like "Who am I? What business do I have attending this conference and chatting with other missions folks? What makes me think they'll be interested in what we're doing?" Well, Jed put me in my place about that. He reminded me again that it's not about us or our abilities. It's about obedience to The Lord. All we have to do is say yes and tell our story. The rest is up to Him! This has never been about our abilities or lack thereof. This is about what God is doing and His ability. </div>
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When I was on Space Mountain I felt like God was saying, <b>"Look at what I've given you today! I am taking care of every single detail. I love you and I love delighting in you and watching you laugh. I delight just as much in my children in Ukraine in their cribs. I'm their Father and I want to give them good gifts. You don't worry. No one will stand in my way. I'm gonna give my babies good gifts and delight over them with singing- and I'm going to love every minute of it. The joy you feel right now is just a glimpse of the joy that's on its way."</b> Oh my word. It brought me to tears. I don't care how cheesy it sounds, God spoke to me on Space Mountain in a big way and I won't be the same. </div>
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Today, wherever you are, whatever you're doing, know that YOUR Father in heaven delights in you. He loves you. He rejoices over you with singing. Maybe things are rough for you. Maybe you feel like you have nothing to be joyful about. Maybe you think "Easy for you to say, Kim. You don't know hardship!" Maybe I don't know your hardship. Maybe I've never experienced the pain you've experienced, but I've experienced the delight of the Father- and He is your Father too. I know His Word is true. If He can bring joy and delight to children wasting away in cribs, and He promises to do that, He can bring joy and delight to you. Fix your eyes on Him and allow Him to father you. This is not about your ability. This is about God's ability and His great, never-stopping, overflowing, abounding love for you. I see Him with a big ol' grin on His face. That grin is for you just as much as it's for me. </div>
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<b>"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." </b></div>
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<b>James 1:17</b></div>
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Jed and Kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872131378295559980noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153310898427543234.post-16452027557636753912013-07-10T07:38:00.003-07:002013-07-10T10:08:44.162-07:00The New Digs<span style="font-size: large;">We have some pretty fantastic news to share!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We know where we get to live in Zhitomir!!!!! THIS IS HUGE!!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When we were in Zhitomir in May we stayed in a house that we talked about in <a href="http://wholelottalovin.blogspot.com/2013/06/house-hunting-in-zhitomir.html" target="_blank">this post</a>. Let me jog your memory. We stayed in a house that is owned by a Ukrainian who lives in Israel. The house was renovated to be used as a small guest-house, or hostel for people who are coming to serve <a href="http://www.missiontoukraine.org/" target="_blank">Mission to Ukraine (MTU)</a>, like mission teams, and people like us! The house has 4 bedrooms and is literally like a 4 minute walk away from MTU. People can rent the house out by the night, or just rent a room. We loved staying there, and while we were house-hunting my smarty pants Mother-in-Law suggested we ask if we could rent that house for a year while we're living in Zhitomir. Duh! Great idea! So, we asked Ira, the director of MTU if she would talk with the owner about us renting. Ira, being the wise one that she is, was already a step ahead of us. She had a feeling we would like the house so she had already contacted the owner. :) Well, we found out just a few days ago that the owner said yes! Thank you Jesus!!! AND, he's renting it to us for well within our budget. THANK YOU JESUS! God is so good to us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It would have been so super smart of me to take pictures of the house while we were there, you know, in case the owner said yes...but of course I didn't. We thought it was such a slim chance we would be living there- kind of like a pipe dream, I guess I just didn't think of it. Lame. Oh me of little faith, right? So instead I guess I'll try to describe it to you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The house isn't it's own free-standing structure, it's kind of connected/a part of a big building that I *think* is other houses. You walk around the back of the building, along a pathway of 2x4's covering rubble, and our entrance is there in the back. There's an un-used shed back there...hmmm, not sure if that comes with the house or not. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Downstairs:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When you walk in it's a pretty nice open space. To the right is a dining room table and the kitchen. The kitchen is one counter with sink, a little counter space, stove, and fridge. What I love is that the kitchen is open to the dining area and entryway! Most of the other kitchens I saw were a small separate room. Having the kitchen in an open space will help us tremendously with homeschooling, and with just the fact that we have 4 kids. :) To the left of the entrance is a bathroom with a tub, shower, and clothes washing machine (ooooooh so teeny tiny! Haha!). Right next to the bathroom is a bedroom. The house has no living room, so we'll turn that bedroom into a living room. And then directly in front of you when you enter the house is the staircase leading upstairs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Upstairs:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Upstairs is so great! You walk up the stairs to an open hallway. There are 2 bedrooms to the right and then on the left is a bigger bedroom with a shower in it. Also on the left is a small bathroom with just a toilet. Straight at the end of the hallway is an enclosed balcony where we will hang our laundry to dry. We're thinking our kids will all share a room, like they do now, and we'll use that third bedroom upstairs as a guest room (hint hint)/Wide Awake International office space. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Quirky things of note:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-The kitchen cupboards are made of bright purple metal. Yesssssssss</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-The stairs in the house are hazardous. We're taking bets now on who's going to be the first Johnson to take a tumble down the ol' stairs. They're like just a little too short for your feet, so you have to turn your feet sideways to walk down them. They're also slippery, shiny wood. This should be interesting...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-There is a drying rack for the dishes in a cupboard right above the sink. So smart, right? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-There are no closets in the bedrooms. There are wardrobe thingies. Addy is pretty excited about having a wardrobe. Can you guess what book she's been reading?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Amazing things of note:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-It's a hop, skip, and a jump from MTU.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-It's like a 10-15 minute walk to the city center of Zhitomir where there are fun things to see, nice places to walk, and easy access to bus lines. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-It's ground level; as in, it's not a flat 9-stories up. YAY! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-It's clean.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-It's furnished! We were anticipating having to buy everything needed for a home when we arrived in Ukraine. Now we can slowly accumulate the things we'll need for a future place over time. The kitchen is stocked with the necessities for cooking, there are beds, linens, towels. All we'll need to buy at the beginning is the fixin's to make the downstairs bedroom into a living room. Easy peasy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What a huge answer to prayer. This is just another way that God is laying out the path before us. What a blessing that I can picture where we'll be living. We can describe it to our kids. We won't have to take a bus to MTU. I could go on and on. We are just so extremely thankful to the Lord. He is too stinkin' good!!!</span>Kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094470531011819587noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153310898427543234.post-5293993562215050712013-07-03T07:41:00.001-07:002013-07-03T07:45:21.298-07:00Stirrings.<span style="font-size: large;">Something's stirring. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We only have one chance at this thing called life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have one chance to live- <b>truly LIVE.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The things of this world will pass away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What if we gave our lives away? What if we stopped grasping for what our society, our neighbors, our friends, even our family tells us is important? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What if we gave our lives away- all the way? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What if we spent our lives completely on Him?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's His breath in our lungs- there for purpose- to live this life for Him alone.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="woj">"For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.</span>"</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">-Luke 9:24</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There's something new stirring in me. Something more radical than before. What do I hold on to that doesn't really matter? What do I worry about for my kids that is of no <b>eternal</b> importance? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I want to live radically for Him. I want to give my whole life away- holding nothing back. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Why would we not? That's what we were created for! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My world is turning upside down again and I'm not sure what that means, but I'm pretty sure it needed to happen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">He is worth it. He is worth giving our lives away. He is why we were created. He is why. </span><br />
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<object height="315" width="560"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/uHz0w-HG4iU?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param>
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<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/uHz0w-HG4iU?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>Kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094470531011819587noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153310898427543234.post-16807215477926961372013-06-30T17:10:00.001-07:002013-06-30T17:56:43.819-07:00We Need Your Stuff! <span style="font-size: large;">Summertime is in full swing around here!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You know what that means...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Swimming lessons</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Popsicles</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja39zffAWtP_LStBnCsxqHK-WZKdNLrsAuaNO2HmuZEKyhFkJ3Oao8V3eMT2PYNe4PBMDiUajLr2gvbg0r0ye_64NtJHYSHOdJHEF2tbZt6fDPua-zkMDnhL0GJifKrH397vy8dkSNNFoT/s640/blogger-image--792087470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja39zffAWtP_LStBnCsxqHK-WZKdNLrsAuaNO2HmuZEKyhFkJ3Oao8V3eMT2PYNe4PBMDiUajLr2gvbg0r0ye_64NtJHYSHOdJHEF2tbZt6fDPua-zkMDnhL0GJifKrH397vy8dkSNNFoT/s400/blogger-image--792087470.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What happens when you have 4 kids...baby boy gets pink goggles...whatev...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Saturday Market</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Church barbecues</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Squishy Havalah in swimsuit cuteness</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFXdFGXvxJD6BnnY0j9iS3K6ciG26iX424QmiliryORhdxoEMl9-SSKEx0JkabUpefI3R4xV-NbYdPfJrnmnVHOTHdFw23cZZKyV2AtA-JgjH-KE3N6DjF3I7TIW-vej5kM92O8kSkFm5/s640/blogger-image-992741049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFXdFGXvxJD6BnnY0j9iS3K6ciG26iX424QmiliryORhdxoEMl9-SSKEx0JkabUpefI3R4xV-NbYdPfJrnmnVHOTHdFw23cZZKyV2AtA-JgjH-KE3N6DjF3I7TIW-vej5kM92O8kSkFm5/s400/blogger-image-992741049.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My iced coffee fail...more like coffee flavored ice water. No bueno.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and last but not least...</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">GARAGE SALES!!!</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh yeah baby! One man's junk is another man's treasure, and all that good stuff.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Want to help support Wide Awake International but you don't have any extra cash? How about having a garage sale for us? We all have extra stuff laying around that someone else is just dying to buy, right? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are asking you to consider putting on a garage sale for Wide Awake International. Don't have enough stuff to hold your own garage sale? Gather a few of your friends, combine your unwanted goods, stick it out in your yard, and watch the magic happen. Doesn't that sound fun? We think so. Especially if one of your friends brings the coffee and doughnuts. ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you are local to us and you have goods you'd like to donate, but are not able to host your own sale, please let us know and we can gladly take them off your hands. We'll be hosting a garage sale on July 27th, and there will be one in South Salem on August 3rd. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Garage sales are a great way to spread the word about Wide Awake International, and a super great way to get your hands dirty no matter where you live. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, what do you say? Are you in? </span></div>
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<i>*See the "give" tab at the top of this blog to find out how to donate the proceeds of your garage sale to Wide Awake. Thank you for your tax-deductible donations and your love. We're feelin' it! :)</i></div>
Jed and Kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872131378295559980noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153310898427543234.post-20232484789094467252013-06-25T15:56:00.001-07:002013-06-25T16:05:28.002-07:00Rainy Day Coziness<span style="font-size: large;">Rain, rain don't go away...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm a true Oregonian at heart. I love me some rain. It's nearly the end of June and it's been pouring down rain for days. YESSSSSSS. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You see, the sun hates me, and I'm not terribly fond of him either. I don't tan, I burn and burn and burn some more. After a bout of melanoma during my pregnancy with Addy I felt I could finally admit my true feelings about the sun. While everyone else in Oregon gets all giddy about sunshine, I feel a tad of resentful. Soaking up the sun is not my kind of fun. Hence my love for Oregon. It rains here A LOT. It's gray and cloudy A LOT. That suits me just fine. When the sun comes out and everyone else gets all giddy, I feel so much pressure to "soak it in"...when I'd much rather play inside where I don't have to be on the constant lookout for shade. Coziness is my friend: rain pouring, windows open, coffee brewing, classical music playing...yes please. Glaring sun, squinty eyes, burning skin...no gracias. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Which brings me to the point of this post (yes it has one!). Pouring down rain calls for a good book. Here's what I've got goin' on around here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For the Kids:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqyBIGWKy94VTLwNpuShob2m2SvOdIAsCQzMHwH9UXsRXdpcxmsCtKPk0pEK4-sfgTc06dqBsPXU9R9YiV_a-NAtPhhqN8KfkCt6PONXXd1nZr1CAHX7DLSW9dd5GIdViMUo5eNOZX1I4J/s400/51l3uoxlQvL.jpg" width="260" /></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/All-Kind-Family-Sydney-Taylor/dp/0440400597"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>All-of-a-Kind Family</i> by Sydney Taylor.</span></b></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I was in 3rd grade my Uncle Steve was my teacher. He was my most favorite teacher EVER. Now he's on the executive board for Wide Awake International. Awww, full circle! Yay! Anyway, often we would have free reading time at school, and every time I would choose this book. I read it over and over. I loved every detail about it. It's about five daughters in a Jewish family growing up in New York City at the turn of the century. Oh my, the food descriptions, the sisterly fun (I only have brothers), the pinafores and bows in the hair. It's a great book. I forgot about it for years, but just recently remembered it and googled every detail I could think of in order to find it again. We checked it out from the library and have renewed it three times so far. It's a great read-aloud for boys and girls alike.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>All-off-a-Kind Family</i> is just as good now as it was when I was 9. LOVE.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">For the Home School:</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUcs4NfS-3bs3aDmoOMaEL-JUhVmQjwJ_ynaOk6p3g75nLZgV4HSdbqrA2isV-QHd9m0iigdWesXNJXsfUcnYr-H4JcVrI76bOljUDn4Evh3DGzjxiGqnKA7JAxYFj79UUMdyAYryVCJ5/s400/12202509.jpg" width="308" /></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.wholeheart.org/store-2/#ecwid:category=1117037&mode=product&product=4605086"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Educating the Wholehearted Child</i> by Clay and Sally Clarkson.</span></b></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Years ago when we were on the verge of homeschooling, but just couldn't bring ourselves to commit to doing it (never thought we would, afraid as all get out), this book was the clincher. I owned the old edition, then got the new edition for Christmas, managed to lose the new edition in our move, and just scored a $.50 copy of the old edition at a used curriculum sale a couple weeks ago. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love to reread this book every so often to help remind myself of why we home school and what is important to us in our parenting. As someone who never thought she would home school, but knows God has asked it of us, this book is incredibly encouraging and practical. Much of what our home school looks like I learned from this book. I love the emphasis on discipling our children. That's what this parenting thing is all about right? If you are on the brink, considering home school, but unsure, I urge you to give this book a go. It's amazeballs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> *Name drop alert: Jed and I got to meet Clay and Sally Clarkson and even visit them in their home when we were in Colorado in March. Holy celebrity sighting Batman! Sooooooo cool. Anywayssss...</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">For Wide Awake International:</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-v8kdwW_npKVTMhtb_5H9SJ6h-34SO-3vVRje5ZlzJszEJJGy0pN6MyAKxAjP1q-z8IBBP5aVTDq76nKO9423Fm4l9pqr1w0Y8aQDU7dy2dnZCvGAPnbThyBRm7G3ykCZttDdV9Ci5nm/s400/The-Boy-Who-Was-Raised-as-a-Dog-And-Other-Stories-from-a-Child-9780465056538.jpg" width="262" /></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Boy-Raised-Psychiatrists-Notebook-What/dp/0465056539"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog</i> by Bruce Perry, M.D., Ph.D. and Maia Szalavitz.</span></b></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I just started this book, so I can't give it a full recommendation yet, but I'm fairly certain it's amazing. :) Jed has been a fan of Dr. Perry's work for a long time. It informs all the work he does at the organization where he currently works. Yesterday Jed was blessed to attend a conference by Dr. Perry with his coworkers and was blown away. Perry is the <a href="http://childtrauma.org/">leading expert</a> on stress, trauma and brain development. In this book Dr. Perry explains what happens to the brain when children are exposed to extreme stress (ie institutionalization, unmet needs, abuse, neglect) and his methods of therapy. He basically throws all we know about brain development on it's head (no pun intended...but hahahaha). Pretty cool stuff. We are just taking it all in, asking God to guide us, direct us, and give us wisdom in bringing this knowledge into Ukraine. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">For Fun:</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgCbjFdZw5YW3m6C_geD9Lg71e_fGl8oBDkliQ6knUC8WhF_QN0IsA-iuVgD_qltIUDd11laNlxjX8eGF78o8jtSgvhIBA_LeczVkMY68Ae8MMYg2rD5_rWAbwtBi-OsCNeDlzJeLtQVF/s400/wilderlifecover.jpg" width="266" /></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Wilder-Life-Adventures-Prairie/dp/B00AZ8DDPG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372200049&sr=8-1&keywords=the+wilder+life"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Wilder Life, My Adventure in the Lost World of Little House on the Prairie</i> by Wendy McClure.</span></b></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Okay, ready for some vulnerability here? I'm about to geek out on you. I LOVE this book. It's about the author's love of all things Laura Ingalls Wilder and Little House on the Prairie. OMG. I am so there. She had me at Little House. I have been a Laura Ingalls fan for as long as I can remember. I just may, or may not have every.single.episode of Little House on the Prairie (or LHOP..hehe) on DVD. I just might know every.single.detail about each episode. I can tell you what Pa said to so and so about the plow, how Albert overcame his addictions (really, Michael Landon?), who burned down the blind school, and which candy was Nellie's favorite at the mercantile. I'm an LHOP nerd and I don't care who knows it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, the author became mildly obsessed with LHOP and then took it to the next level. She visited all the homestead sites, churned her own butter and made her own maple syrup/snow candy. Then she wrote about her experiences. In other words, she fully geeked out so that I could vicariously live through her. The book is hilarious and informative. It's made me laugh out loud more than once. Poor Jed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The only beef I have with this book is that the author is sort of a purist and pretty much doesn't care for the TV series. WHAT?????? She thinks true LHOP fans should be lovers of the books, not the show. Well, I gotta admit, the books bore me to death (are homeschooling parents aloud to admit that?). I love me some Michael Landon, and he's the only Pa I can imagine. Yes, I realize the show isn't true to the books, but I love it all the same. It represents my childhood. When Carrie stumbles down the hill in the opening sequence I feel like I'm home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">*okay, I'm done nerding out now. Feel free to think less of me, just don't bash Melissa Gilbert or I might never forgive you. ;)</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Enough about me, what about you? Got any good books to recommend? Lay 'em on me!</span></div>
Jed and Kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872131378295559980noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153310898427543234.post-8952432260102462122013-06-19T23:13:00.000-07:002013-06-20T08:18:28.391-07:00Zhitomir Scoop<span style="font-size: large;">What exactly will we be doing in Zhitomir? Why <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhytomyr" target="_blank">Zhitomir</a>? Have you been wondering? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, if you've been wondering, you aren't the only one. People have been asking, so I thought we better set the record straight. :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm not sure we've done a super good job of explaining what exactly our purpose is for moving to Zhitomir, specifically, and what we plan to do once we're there. I'm so sorry about that! I feel like I'm constantly talking about it all with someone, so pretty soon I forget who knows what, and what I've blogged about vs. what I've emailed about vs. what I've texted about vs. what I've chatted about over coffee dates vs. what we've shared at church leadership meetings. Yes, we talk a lot. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, here is the full Zhitomir scoop, in all of it's glory!</span></div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Why are we moving to Zhitomir?</span></b></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are moving to Zhitomir because God led us there. <a href="http://wholelottalovin.blogspot.com/2012/04/zhitomir.html" target="_blank">Last April</a> (2012) when Jed and I visited all over Ukraine checking out what different people were doing for disabled orphans we decided to check out <a href="http://www.missiontoukraine.org/" target="_blank">Mission to Ukraine (MTU)</a>, and MTU is in Zhitomir. We were totally amazed and touched by the work done at and through MTU. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, when we got home and prayed about where we should land when we first move to Ukraine, our hearts kept going back to MTU. They are the only ones we know about in Ukraine who do what they do, and we want to be a part of it. We have a lot to offer them, professionally, but more than that, they have so much they can teach us. We asked MTU if we could spend our first year in Ukraine volunteering for them, and after many months of communication they said yes! So, to Zhitomir we go!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6XuAolzwL3JrokbzQYXZFQ3YGFkzg9xwh5PRsSvguSo6LIpAp0meAxMG1lBSR91DURsO27_cY6boq_6eNv-aTkjaIE1PSARbBMytdMEsqdcwMRR9VEa31DtiGP2VoY-imk4chKGKuD0Iw/s640/blogger-image--583743281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6XuAolzwL3JrokbzQYXZFQ3YGFkzg9xwh5PRsSvguSo6LIpAp0meAxMG1lBSR91DURsO27_cY6boq_6eNv-aTkjaIE1PSARbBMytdMEsqdcwMRR9VEa31DtiGP2VoY-imk4chKGKuD0Iw/s400/blogger-image--583743281.jpg" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seth got into my flour bins, so we added some beans and made it a low budget "sensory experience". Ha!</td></tr>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">How long will we be in Zhitomir?</span></b></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We don't know the answer to that one. We committed one year to MTU, so we know we'll be there for at least a year. This first year is really going to be such a time of learning. We don't know what The Lord has for us after the first year. Maybe He'll keep us around at MTU for longer, maybe doors will open in another place, we just take one step at a time and say yes. We're really okay with that. The dreams He's given us for the group homes are still completely alive in our hearts. We don't know how God will take us from Point A (MTU in Zhitomir) to Point Z (medical group homes), but we don't need to know that yet. Step by step...breathe in, breathe out. Whew! We are blessed this first year to have a "landing place" at MTU where right away we can be actively involved in the type of orphan care we love and have a passion for, but we don't have to come up with something all our own, starting at square one. We can join what the Father is already doing and bless that. Super cool.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Note to self: I will know what I need to know, when I need to know it. Chill out</span>. </span></div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">What is Mission to Ukraine? What do they do?</span></b></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Awesome, and a lot. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How's that for an answer? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Kidding! You know I can't just leave it at that! Remember, I like to talk too much. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.missiontoukraine.org/" target="_blank">MTU </a>is a Ukrainian non-profit. It was started by an American missionary years ago, but now all the daily operations are run by Ukrainians. They have an American Board of Directors in Indiana that support-raises, resource-gathers, and provides guidance as needed, but MTU is a Ukrainian organization at heart. We will be the only foreigners working at MTU in Zhitomir. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">MTU has a center in Zhitomir, but they minister all over the city. They have 3 main focuses: Crisis Pregnancy Counseling and Support, support of children with disabilities and their families, and the work at Romaniv Boys Orphanage. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our primary interests lie in the work done with the disabled children, and the work at Romaniv. At the center children are given free physical therapy and speech therapy. There is a specialist who has started doing some work with autistic children, and MTU is in the process of developing Occupational Therapy, which doesn't exist as a profession in Ukraine at this time. They have a wonderful pediatrician who is on staff full time and provides free care to children, as well as an ophthalmologist and dentist who volunteer time a couple of days a week when they aren't at their own practices. All the therapists and other medical professionals are Ukrainian too! There are various classes held throughout the day for disabled children and adults of all ages. In their classes they get to learn about Jesus, do crafts and artwork, beading, learn different life skills, and build friendships in a place where they are fully accepted, just as they are. It is BEAUTIFUL. Every day several different special needs preschool classes are taught as well. All I have to say about that is CUTENESS OVERLOAD. When I got to assist with the preschool class for kiddos with Down Syndrome I thought I was going to freak out due to the extreme cuteness. It was almost too much to handle. OMG. While the kids are in class or therapy, there are Bible studies and support groups for the parents. Genius. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You've heard us talk about <a href="http://wholelottalovin.blogspot.com/2012/04/romaniv.html" target="_blank">Romaniv</a>. Love, love, love that place and those boys. MTU staff have visited Romaniv once a week for 5 years now. The transformation has been miraculous. There is still a lot of work to be done, specifically with the more severely disabled boys. Their lives haven't changed nearly as much as the verbal boys and the ones who are more physically capable. We really desire to help in that area. We would love to be able to do what we can to bring about more change and help for the boys in "isolation", as they call it. Those are the boys we would love to target while working with MTU, so we'll see what God has in store! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There is so much more that is done at MTU: summer camps for disabled children and their families, summer camps at Romaniv, a social integration project, abstinence education...and on and on....cool, right?</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVb-rOg1BO4VBCwAboPVbA3-6XucgEFlCihLaz7LRylp3Xc1wiw55CAAxY_t1c3wbDpesRhYxwDRzdS1sl2jaeMdHb78AV4pwTVNao4yVc03HiFPxYcsbkZtXdl4uUcJn5VEsno2EaMeK_/s640/blogger-image-57378271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVb-rOg1BO4VBCwAboPVbA3-6XucgEFlCihLaz7LRylp3Xc1wiw55CAAxY_t1c3wbDpesRhYxwDRzdS1sl2jaeMdHb78AV4pwTVNao4yVc03HiFPxYcsbkZtXdl4uUcJn5VEsno2EaMeK_/s400/blogger-image-57378271.jpg" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Look Mommy! I make Splash Mountain!! I put my arms up!"</td></tr>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">What will we do at MTU?</span></b></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We'll do whatever they want us to do! We've said it before on here, and we really mean it. We want to be a blessing and we don't want to push our own agenda. Right now it seems that they have a big need for Jed's professional skills. Jed has a lot of experience in non-profit program management, building new programs, building a volunteer base, teaching caregivers to care for themselves, teaching people in the helps field learn to process what they see and work with...Jed's job here in Salem has basically groomed him for helping at MTU. We couldn't have planned it better if we tried. God is so smart! Jed is nearly bursting with ideas for MTU and already has plenty of work to keep him busy there for quite some time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It seems right now that the best use of our family will be having Jed be the primary help at MTU. Of course I will help too, but Jed will invest the most hours. My main job this first year will be helping our family acclimate to living in Ukraine. I will home school the kids- like I do now, learn to grocery shop and run a house in Ukraine, and support Jed. I will most likely find out what special needs classes they need the most help with and assist every week in at least one class. I'm excited to have Addy and Ez help me with that! The woman who supports the moms asked me to help her as well. Yay! My biggest love at MTU is Romaniv. I hope to go to Romaniv every week and do whatever I can to support, help build, and expand the work being done there. I am SUPER excited for that!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wow, this is getting long. I better stop now. :) I hope this helps fill in some of the info gaps. If you have any questions at all after reading this, please ask away! We really want to be clear and lay things out as plain as possible, so if I'm assuming you know or understand some things and you don't, just let me know and we can explain better. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9KqztH_NO1B6JEgae3YpDbhrR2lss80Y_C0Rxdnpm_5zeysinrlOHycaR95PmnYEHxmqXL_H62H4xcZL-dxPrGytWrIjwBCzOsd93q00VT49qI0eDxtPD7Jsg9AcdCyjq8Z6psywaYavK/s640/blogger-image--1281254905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9KqztH_NO1B6JEgae3YpDbhrR2lss80Y_C0Rxdnpm_5zeysinrlOHycaR95PmnYEHxmqXL_H62H4xcZL-dxPrGytWrIjwBCzOsd93q00VT49qI0eDxtPD7Jsg9AcdCyjq8Z6psywaYavK/s400/blogger-image--1281254905.jpg" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The aftermath. You either laugh or cry at the mess. We definitely decided to laugh. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I better go to sleep now. But, just so you know, I typed this post using my healed up blender finger! Aren't you proud? Things are lookin' up for the old finger! Yessssssssss.</span><br />
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<i>*Random pics due to the fact that </i><br />
<i>#1 We've already posted all our cool Zhitomir pics and have none left </i><br />
<i>#2 Seth is too cute to resist. How could I deny you the cuteness?? </i></div>
Jed and Kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872131378295559980noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153310898427543234.post-12464296587969578582013-06-16T16:36:00.003-07:002013-06-16T16:37:36.042-07:00Our Baby<span style="font-size: large;">Our hearts are full to bursting!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhDcq1Ms4tBJ0TA2nKeQxFwrqyqJh8Q4rrSazIyUIadknRaoegb2ug6ON9cTHud4uzVn7tIBoYosJ9fNlVmfJwTLO2Xn9YAX9mkm7aRx5b9ruhdfTBlVT2GM9OLgfJBn2tQjqBKhBKUnL/s640/blogger-image--493675281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhDcq1Ms4tBJ0TA2nKeQxFwrqyqJh8Q4rrSazIyUIadknRaoegb2ug6ON9cTHud4uzVn7tIBoYosJ9fNlVmfJwTLO2Xn9YAX9mkm7aRx5b9ruhdfTBlVT2GM9OLgfJBn2tQjqBKhBKUnL/s400/blogger-image--493675281.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My view from here</span><u><br /></u></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our Wide Awake event happened on Friday night and I'm not sure I've stopped smiling since. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jed and I were talking afterward about how we felt. The best way I could think to describe my feelings was like one of the feelings you get when you have your first baby. Of course when Addy was born I thought she was the cutest newborn ever (don't even try to argue with me, I'll win). But there was a special feeling that filled my heart when other peopled oooo'd and ahhhh'd over her. I would think she was cute regardless of other opinions, but when other people loved my baby it felt like a different kind of amazing. "They love my baby! They think she's something special!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's totally how Friday night felt for us, x 100. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wide Awake is like our baby. Wide Awake represents all the forgotten babies on the other side of the world who have captured our hearts. Of course we think Wide Awake is something special (we better or else we have no business selling all our stuff and moving to Ukraine!), of course we think the plight of the disabled orphans is something big and important, of course we think those faces in our video and our powerpoint are beautiful and valuable, regardless of what others may think. God put that love in our hearts! It all comes from Him.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBLWrkinPc7qnYVNu1aNogJMwznhCclqr_9rqRinFPZ5BE5o_RhdpAYPZqJ_6HNNu9-BAvdEudP9Al-ZiYQUh7MPRxkcozrzYoDnvWWj5vE-VJ2sbP1dzjdHkwOHAppmDeggafomLlXOU/s640/blogger-image--1263511723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBLWrkinPc7qnYVNu1aNogJMwznhCclqr_9rqRinFPZ5BE5o_RhdpAYPZqJ_6HNNu9-BAvdEudP9Al-ZiYQUh7MPRxkcozrzYoDnvWWj5vE-VJ2sbP1dzjdHkwOHAppmDeggafomLlXOU/s400/blogger-image--1263511723.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Perty yard</span><u><br /></u></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">BUT, on Friday night people oooo'd and ahhhh'd over our babies. People were loving our babies and it felt amazing. "They love our baby! They think it's something special!" :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When you see people valuing what you value it brings hope.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: medium;">When you see people sharing your event with all their friends and asking thoughtful questions you feel thankful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When you see people driving 3 hours because they love you and they are excited about what God is doing it makes you cry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had a fantastic turnout on Friday and we could not be more humbled and thankful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you a million times over to <b>every single person</b> who came!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you to those who invited a friend!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you to those of you who gave generously of your time to drive over mountains to get there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you to those who gave generous donations! Blown away. Woohooooooo!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">God is so faithful. His love NEVER fails. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67KAAJiyGvEpjlsa1szXMMv7ob0GpUwnjdGREG9IBYS6cYr3_HWOFri7CX8MzsSYf5BZ-3m_tuQrTVwykMMGvLI3wBsK8HMiMCVUVSWI4tkWFElHzd4q4PCzWWSmxeAyWC9hdIn2ZSZ07/s640/blogger-image-694627314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67KAAJiyGvEpjlsa1szXMMv7ob0GpUwnjdGREG9IBYS6cYr3_HWOFri7CX8MzsSYf5BZ-3m_tuQrTVwykMMGvLI3wBsK8HMiMCVUVSWI4tkWFElHzd4q4PCzWWSmxeAyWC9hdIn2ZSZ07/s400/blogger-image-694627314.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Happy Father's Day to Jed! He is seriously amazing. Yes, I'm biased, and yes, I'm right.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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Jed and Kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872131378295559980noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153310898427543234.post-76378746772776450522013-06-11T22:31:00.000-07:002013-06-19T23:15:04.417-07:00House Hunting in Zhitomir<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;"><i>*If you are a local reader/fan of Wide Awake we would LOVE to see you this Friday night, June 14th at Broadway Coffeehouse, Peru Room #306 at 7:00pm. We'll be sharing the story and vision of Wide Awake International. It will be a great time to get the big picture of what God is doing. All are welcome! Bring a friend!* </i> </span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've decided to stop apologizing for my lack of posting and complaining about my lame finger. So there. That's the last you'll hear of those two things...but I just had to get them out there one more time. I'm turning a new leaf today. Aren't you glad? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Housing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">House Hunters International Ukraine went pretty well! I spent a few hours with Sveta, our realtor, and saw several places for rent. It was productive and necessary. It gave Sveta a chance to see what we liked and didn't like in a rental, and it gave me a chance to see what Zhitomir has to offer. One thing I wasn't anticipating was that our kids would be a major factor in us finding a place to live. When Sveta found out we have 4 kids I thought she was going to have a coronary. Ha! It's uncommon for people who live in the city to have as many kids as we do, and many landlords don't want to rent to people wih a whole passel o' kids. Maybe they think we'll be too noisy. My kids? Noisy? Hehehe....whaaaaaaa.....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sveta just kept saying (in Russian, or maybe Ukrainian) "Four kids is very difficult!" Oops. :)</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5ayi9c1q78vTzEeZIz5mITPZKSRzb4ExkCJpoOXeP_vPdPBj61YIYun1bUviKxmMwojiK53SvYpLGRRSJ3geNBhB5pQrXelx9ZFJCoYI13Gb0pgnGRj3oT261uGCN6Tf5zTZM_4XESji/s640/blogger-image--720527189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5ayi9c1q78vTzEeZIz5mITPZKSRzb4ExkCJpoOXeP_vPdPBj61YIYun1bUviKxmMwojiK53SvYpLGRRSJ3geNBhB5pQrXelx9ZFJCoYI13Gb0pgnGRj3oT261uGCN6Tf5zTZM_4XESji/s400/blogger-image--720527189.jpg" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Who could say no to this cuteness?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We saw some okay flats and a big house for rent. But then we got a brilliant idea, and all credit goes to my smarty Mother-in-Law. :) You see, while in Zhitomir we were staying in a house that a Ukrainian man renovated into a sort of guest house, or hostel for people who come to visit MTU. This owner lives in Israel and his mother manages the house. We really liked the house! It has 3 rooms upstairs and space for a living room downstairs, a pretty open kitchen/dining area, and it's a house...not 9 stories up! The best part about that particular house is its location. It's literally a 4 minute walk from there to MTU. Best location ever!!! My oh so smart Mother-in-Law, Cindy, suggested we ask if we could rent that house for our first year. Normally it is rented out, a room at a time, and charged by night. But, what if the owner would let us lease it for a year? What if? Why not ask? So, Jed asked Ira, the director of MTU, if she would contact the owner and ask him about us renting it. Now we just wait for an answer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We would love it if you would pray with us that God would provide the perfect house for us, and if it's that one that the owner would say yes right away! Rentals aren't usually agreed upon in advance, so this would be a truly unique and wonderful situation. It would be so nice to prepare for our move and already have in mind the house we'll be at. Thank you for praying with us!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_7fKlHNQu7R8AP2Wf-Uyg26-QMUPidZfI3ABsreEm56zkgiEbvsy2SZDf181C2A8PEZZRuC3Bhv2G_F-14qp0GLJ1aGlep6K_NCrN6aHRtq8W_zAt_Zw4f2v5fhnGZVjtzwaoVEUNdmm/s640/blogger-image--1935234820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_7fKlHNQu7R8AP2Wf-Uyg26-QMUPidZfI3ABsreEm56zkgiEbvsy2SZDf181C2A8PEZZRuC3Bhv2G_F-14qp0GLJ1aGlep6K_NCrN6aHRtq8W_zAt_Zw4f2v5fhnGZVjtzwaoVEUNdmm/s400/blogger-image--1935234820.jpg" width="299" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, that's the skinny on housing. :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On another note, we have been blown away by the generosity of donors in the last couple of days. Oh, My. Word. Seriously! We have gotten big donations from people we don't even know personally!!! Incredible!!! Oh the ugly cry, I couldn't hold it back. Generous supporters, if you are reading this, please know we are so incredibly humbled and blessed. Thank you doesn't seem adequate. But, THANK YOU anyway. THANK YOU!!!!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCMqxfN67JhginPTI3AArRn5wAR8iIh_n4WW61vRQIFyCHKdCr8wekAojSsbhc-B_bR5lNTF5nXbJN3yYbZtXZEXg3KsQabuJjEW9p0_ecv1t8GOencYUf8q3Xo_tHWiL7B1pOWkaCvI3/s640/blogger-image-1055385153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCMqxfN67JhginPTI3AArRn5wAR8iIh_n4WW61vRQIFyCHKdCr8wekAojSsbhc-B_bR5lNTF5nXbJN3yYbZtXZEXg3KsQabuJjEW9p0_ecv1t8GOencYUf8q3Xo_tHWiL7B1pOWkaCvI3/s400/blogger-image-1055385153.jpg" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Mommy, take a picture of Seth Kitty!"</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One step at a time, one foot in front of the other. God is making the path straight. Wahooooo!!!!</span></div>
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Jed and Kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872131378295559980noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153310898427543234.post-33959096723374439082013-06-05T21:51:00.000-07:002013-06-05T21:51:54.658-07:00The Necessary.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We're really alive! Finger still intact, though angry as can be when required to type, hence the lack of posts. It turns out pointer fingers are super useful. I'll definitely appreciate mine more in the future. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Although I haven't been able to type it out, my brain has been spinning a mile a minute since we landed back on US soil. The trip was so good. When people ask the question "How was your trip?" I say "Good, and necessary." It was oh so necessary, in ways we couldn't have anticipated before going. I thought it would be necessary in the scheme of houses, visas, and job descriptions, and while all those things were discussed and worked on, they aren't the necessary I'm talking about. This trip was another leg in the Journey of Learning to Say Yes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Kiev was great. Super fun, great connections, awesome time with old friends- going deeper and getting stronger. Kiev was comfy, cozy, and superb. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Zhitomir was good too...and Zhitomir was reality. Necessary reality. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We LOVE Mission to Ukraine (MTU). We love the staff, we love the vision, we love the people being served. We are more excited than ever to join them in their ministry. Jed could be busy there 24/7. His professional skills are so right on for the areas they have need. My heart was bursting to think of how I get to help and how our kids get to be involved and learn to serve. We are totally and completely more excited than ever for MTU. YAY!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Honestly though, I struggled in Zhitomir. Nothing personal to the city or the people, I was struggling with doubt, fear, worry as we walked the streets of Zhitomir, and it was all personal to me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"What are we doing??? This is crazy."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Our lives are PERFECT right now and we're leaving it all for the unknown. Why???"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"We're taking our kids away from their cousins, their friends, their church. They're going to hate us!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOzmiprQINpHNY518hSLMwubvnvtTuMs1WXH0fd0nP4P5OcYPFzUGA_kQXKmJu_Bdu4wGWiSgu9N2UgRRZPqOzwYiXMth1qoAv_7wz5KSV6qId-Kn-1pq3ZtHN-oaCYAvXW5vU1iqQa5o/s640/blogger-image-311405154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOzmiprQINpHNY518hSLMwubvnvtTuMs1WXH0fd0nP4P5OcYPFzUGA_kQXKmJu_Bdu4wGWiSgu9N2UgRRZPqOzwYiXMth1qoAv_7wz5KSV6qId-Kn-1pq3ZtHN-oaCYAvXW5vU1iqQa5o/s400/blogger-image-311405154.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And on, and on, and on. Being the verbal processor that I am, Jed got quite the earful. THIS was the necessary of this trip I wasn't expecting. I had to come around to the fact that although our life right now is the absolute best it's ever been, the biggest reason for that is because we are smack dab in the will of God. Yes, there will be challenges about moving to Ukraine. No, it will not be easy. Yes, there are some major sacrifices, but it will be <b>the best</b> because we will be smack dab in the will of our Loving Father. After I got over myself and the lies, fear, doubt, blah blah blah, I could truly enjoy our time in Zhitomir. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Look how far The Lord has brought us! Oh my, the joy in the journey really increases when you die to yourself a bit more. Ha!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today my kids and their friend Milaey decided to pick various herbs and plants from the yard and set up a stand on the porch to sell to passerby's. Great idea, except for the fact that we live on an extremely quiet, out of the way street. People don't just meander down our street for the fun of it. It's almost like a ghost town, except for us. :) I didn't want to discourage them, so I just warned them it might be a bit hard to get customers, but they were welcome to try! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNaiRg51iwDS3Bo0cRxLXMNpNDrYMrwFPMwIjvgTrnz2kvUIqmZw2aKIA_KSbIYa9TAMGPYJpVADJNFtaLGs0yKnvjTDq6xHs7x_1guYka7ELz5rzGYI-OzxZYldz4i7ykrU4Ih5gDXAzX/s640/blogger-image-2001655462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNaiRg51iwDS3Bo0cRxLXMNpNDrYMrwFPMwIjvgTrnz2kvUIqmZw2aKIA_KSbIYa9TAMGPYJpVADJNFtaLGs0yKnvjTDq6xHs7x_1guYka7ELz5rzGYI-OzxZYldz4i7ykrU4Ih5gDXAzX/s400/blogger-image-2001655462.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They set to work gathering, pricing, making signs. Soon they were out on the corner yelling to the empty street about their wares. "We've got carrots, we've got herbs, we've got stuff to make your house smell good!" They chanted over and over, then cheered like crazy when a random car would drive by every 7 minutes or so. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After a bit they came in, discouraged at the lack of business. Then Milaey suggested they pray and ask God to bring them a customer. I certainly didn't have the faith I should have had (hehe), but was so proud of Milaey for suggesting it! They prayed, and I kid you not, like 5 minutes later a car stopped at the sale! A random lady got out and said "I never drive on this street, but I thought I'd try a shortcut today." Seriously??? The kids were FREAKING OUT. They hovered, they talked up their goods, and the kindest lady in town walked away with a ziplock baggie full of hedge trimmings. God is so faithful. He cares about what's important to us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I got to talk with the kids about the goodness of God, they were thankful, elated, and back to sign-holding and chanting. Guess what? Not one other car stopped the rest of the day. Addy and Ezra came inside an hour later crying (sobbing) about their "failure sale". </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Why did no one come? It was important to us and no one cared!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How quickly they forgot the Lord's provision. How quickly they forgot the joy in the answered prayer, the delight in His care for them. He provided a miraculous customer right when they asked! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yep, that was me in Zhitomir. Totally forgetting what God did earlier. Totally feeling forgotten, wondering if God cared. Seriously????? He's done AMAZING things. He's gone above and beyond for our family to pave the way and make it straight. Seriously. Once I got my head and heart on straight, stopped looking at the "yikes" and looking at all He has done and promises TO DO things got a whoooooooole lot better. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lesson learned for me, and the kids.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRZGXU4khzizxzgYrJdz5GBCXGXnkJ3yr7JKRQm8dlGbCzkW0y3px7vQtWsHaw8FwhV1j6jTV3QLglwPEdmtBL1pPuOHxVxGVxUBfM1V3ZpidKq_ZAWdordhTAcZNsyk8W9GcTt8pl1FZ/s640/blogger-image--477141325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRZGXU4khzizxzgYrJdz5GBCXGXnkJ3yr7JKRQm8dlGbCzkW0y3px7vQtWsHaw8FwhV1j6jTV3QLglwPEdmtBL1pPuOHxVxGVxUBfM1V3ZpidKq_ZAWdordhTAcZNsyk8W9GcTt8pl1FZ/s400/blogger-image--477141325.jpg" width="400" /> </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Next post will be more details about our time in Zhitomir. Many of you have been asking and I'm sooooo sorry for the delay. I blame it on my immersion blender skills (or lack thereof).</span></i> </span></div>
<br />Jed and Kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872131378295559980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153310898427543234.post-40053380914540802232013-05-26T23:47:00.001-07:002013-05-27T18:49:30.289-07:00On my way home!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGZoBseoa6smwLA06BKBfD1d1imG9HdFyvNmvcUixdIfv1d7oyUrCPveViLLOSMRewVIppE7oNQtk1t-7ErO2qun4ANlRrIm7SX1YlsPS5RJfTJ0I6rF6sL11K03-eybU95rVFXNtqZO-/s640/blogger-image--1103945850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGZoBseoa6smwLA06BKBfD1d1imG9HdFyvNmvcUixdIfv1d7oyUrCPveViLLOSMRewVIppE7oNQtk1t-7ErO2qun4ANlRrIm7SX1YlsPS5RJfTJ0I6rF6sL11K03-eybU95rVFXNtqZO-/s640/blogger-image--1103945850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgay980nP-WL7AdVtPzXymT4ZSjMu1I90hy6cN3weDJ-hsL5xnEIhBBkwq9uhiyAE2HtvZCCFlIf-UkKKbXDo_4NwLknkRW_kL-62ZdWRfg_XzHdc50tqmfMFkjxh1zdAMRyEtdejLTYCN-/s640/blogger-image--1896403638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgay980nP-WL7AdVtPzXymT4ZSjMu1I90hy6cN3weDJ-hsL5xnEIhBBkwq9uhiyAE2HtvZCCFlIf-UkKKbXDo_4NwLknkRW_kL-62ZdWRfg_XzHdc50tqmfMFkjxh1zdAMRyEtdejLTYCN-/s400/blogger-image--1896403638.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hi there,<br />
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So, I am in Amsterdam. My good friends Tanya and Ilya took me to the airport at 3:30am. We took a few wrong turns and blew out a tire. Kapiatz! My new Russian cussing style.</div>
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I am leaving Ukraine feeling more excited about what God has for us than ever before.</div>
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I can't wait to see my kids and I'm worried about my wife's finger.</div>
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I can't wait to have a clear thought and tell you all about it.</div>
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Oh, and Check this out! </div>
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Ukraine is like heaven, where the Mouse lays with the Cat. <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"> Anya and Vanya, Kiev Vineyard Pastor's kids, wanted a mouse and this is what happened.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KgifPEdfWGWqVLIHF4FU0ZWVSgsgiPCkclI-rrN_wGoid097X1D_nxAyTX7tinoKyqhp6NSJDMX3mOelq98hHctnQGEjf2jAzU3xTdwa2DLqiQ7N3Hs5qxYE7VISVI0PoU4m1uwN-3tA/s640/blogger-image--1340990456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KgifPEdfWGWqVLIHF4FU0ZWVSgsgiPCkclI-rrN_wGoid097X1D_nxAyTX7tinoKyqhp6NSJDMX3mOelq98hHctnQGEjf2jAzU3xTdwa2DLqiQ7N3Hs5qxYE7VISVI0PoU4m1uwN-3tA/s400/blogger-image--1340990456.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Scary drunk Santa photo, thought you'd enjoy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDs_QnAuMpYWnaMlUMjlRa_c5Zq3WWmAs7dBIBobblJdjCCly0ObGGa9uJzwsu6vcpVYyIAETG4KwfDK81pfM1AUJtdd0enJ12LD-NoaLDb_3u6OOKxhhq8KVPcQu7VmHtLqqIPhEm-71s/s640/blogger-image--364789133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO39lNDqfsBRdXBvaAQRDKhCdSF-fdChIjE7GWxAEmC3qZppq76yi8sO4NWQHoIjTLxLuuCSkosEwM0oMNM49ByMAtPm0oQEIjsM9lrDQbX4cTvRrnzJEuZdJFiT0qBUxWn-e3aRDZnkCe/s640/blogger-image--757845596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO39lNDqfsBRdXBvaAQRDKhCdSF-fdChIjE7GWxAEmC3qZppq76yi8sO4NWQHoIjTLxLuuCSkosEwM0oMNM49ByMAtPm0oQEIjsM9lrDQbX4cTvRrnzJEuZdJFiT0qBUxWn-e3aRDZnkCe/s400/blogger-image--757845596.jpg" width="299" /></a></div>
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Jed and Kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872131378295559980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153310898427543234.post-67928713319927018692013-05-26T20:08:00.002-07:002013-05-26T20:11:22.438-07:00Skype, Cupcakes, and an Angry Finger. <span style="font-size: large;">Hi there! How's your Sunday?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mine was fab: great time at church with friends, yummy crockpot lunch by yours truly, super fun skype on the computer with my dear <a href="http://diaryofamusingmama.blogspot.com/">Deanna</a> while Ezra skyped with Jed on the phone,which led to Ukrainian friends on the Jed-skype asking Deanna on the computer-skype what Ukrainian city she and her husband adopted their baby from (Yep, it was confusing in person too). Ha! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had grand plans to totally unload on you tonight. I was going to fill you in on all my deep thoughts as I begin to really process the trip. You were going to get quite the earful. Lucky you! ;) Then I started making <a href="http://www.elanaspantry.com/coconut-cupcakes-key-lime-icing/">these cupcakes</a> with Ez and totally mangled my finger in my immersion blender. Turns out it's not a good idea to stick your finger next to the blade and then accidentally turn the blender on. Oh the blood...nasty. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Yv40Ii7XXhQ34SbbmNYR5cCjWB4aUKn50m7gHLGBRJ9fQ0uUBNLaBt1hb112NP_u_58FEGvJq8lrQn0j92o-eNVsBzYMVj0ivNs__I5YdfsQ-eo4yY3tCcLBfcNetWzLdDQYaXo7YbaE/s1600/photo(36).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Yv40Ii7XXhQ34SbbmNYR5cCjWB4aUKn50m7gHLGBRJ9fQ0uUBNLaBt1hb112NP_u_58FEGvJq8lrQn0j92o-eNVsBzYMVj0ivNs__I5YdfsQ-eo4yY3tCcLBfcNetWzLdDQYaXo7YbaE/s400/photo(36).JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, contrary to what the picture would lead you to believe, I actually am a Registered Nurse. I promise. It's just a little known fact that nurses' homes have the most lame first aid kits ever. I'm always the friend who sends her kids to other friends for bandaids because we rarely have them. Hence the ramshackle bandaging job- I was lucky to find the two bandaids I've got on right now! I could probably use a couple stitches, but where do you get stitches on a Sunday night? The ER? No thanks, I'll take the nasty scar. Hehe...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">All that to say, typing without your pointer finger is quite laborious, and not exactly conducive to deep thought unloading. Darn. I was feeling really inspired too! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On another note, Jed should be in the air right now, heading home to us!!! Yipppppeeeeeeeee!!!!! I can't wait to be a whole fam again. Next time any of us head across the pond we'll all be together, and our tickets will be one-way. Crazy, crazy, crazy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Welp, that's all I got. My finger is angry with me so I better go eat another cupcake and watch <a href="http://www.pbs.org/call-the-midwife/home/">Call the Midwife</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For what it's worth, the cupcakes were delish. :)</span>Kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094470531011819587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153310898427543234.post-71668140060431208242013-05-23T20:48:00.002-07:002013-05-23T21:47:29.881-07:00Pain:After leaving MTU today, I just had to walk.<br>
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My brain was going a mile-a-minute. <br>
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I just finished teaching a seminar on Vicarious Trauma (the cumulative impact of hearing many traumatic events in the lives of the people you help). It is a serious issue for those who work in the Helping Profession. </div>
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I also attended the funeral of a deeply loved pastor who was integral in the work MTU started throughout the Zhitomir region.</div>
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As I walked through my new city, the place we will call home for at least the first year of our lives in Ukraine,<br>
I was trying to reconcile a part of the training I deliberately skipped over.<br>
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I hadn't plan to skip this part, in fact, I intended to spend some time on this theme. But as I looked out at the teachers, counselors, therapists, nurses, and staff I could not tell them that a sign of Vicarious Trauma was connected to their ability to see the world as a good and safe place for themselves and those they love.</div>
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Now, before I get too far down this road, I believe this world is full of amazingly good things and good people and safe families and safe environments.</div>
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In the US, our biggest business is pain avoidance. We prescribe, self-medicate, anesthetize and pasteurize our lives from as many problems and as much pain as possible.</div>
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At the drop of a hat we start to blame God, country and anything around us when our lives become anything less than ideal. I'm speaking at myself here.</div>
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How could I tell these people, who not only see so much suffering, but experience it too, that the world is a good and safe place and you have a serious problem if you think otherwise? They would laugh me out of the room.</div>
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I wasn't ready to talk about this part of Compassion Fatigue (aka, Vicarious Trauma).</div>
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I needed to go for a walk and think about all I have been experiencing on this trip to Ukraine. </div>
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"God, help me to understand this culture and people. Help me to see the world through their eyes and support them as they work with the most vulnerable in their community."</div>
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After a cup of coffee and some quiet time I had a clear thought. A sign of Vicarious Trauma fatigue is the inability to see the good that is around us and trust people in our lives. It's a slight change from the "everything's coming up roses" worldview that is easy to have when you are hiding behind a shit-ton of missiles and medication.<br>
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Jesus came announcing the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand. The right to rule over sickness, death, sin and darkness had begun it's reign on earth. </div>
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He didn't stand afar off and point at all that was wrong, Christ came and made wrong things right. He became one of us and took the full weight of all our bad so we could walk in freedom and goodness and life. See Isaiah 53:5.</div>
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As helpers, our job is to be like Jesus. To stand in the places where the pain is most severe and cry out for God's Kingdom to come and when we see healing and wholeness and life and freedom we celebrate it as a sign of God's Kingdom here on earth.</div>
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We must take care of ourselves so we can serve from the overflow of God's presence and power in our lives.<br>
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I had the honor of speaking at MTU's morning devotions and I shared from Mark 7:31-37 as model of care for those who work in the helps field.
</div><div><br></div><div>Read the passage and think of Jesus' actions more like sign language than a mysitcal ritual. </div><div><br></div><div>Jesus honors this man by taking him aside. He tells him, through sign language, that he is going to heal his ears and speaking. He looks up to the Father, so the deaf man would know where the healing was coming from.</div><div><br></div><div>When it's all said and done the entire community said, "Jesus does all things well!" Or translate, He does all things completely.</div><div><br></div><div>Our work as helpers is usually partial healing: bandaging, counseling, listening, soothing, containing, informing and befriending. But, as Christ followers, we can appeal to His finishing work and say;</div><div><br></div><div>"Father in Heaven, make your name great! </div><div><br></div><div>Just like it is in Heaven, let it be here on earth; In my life and in the families and people I serve. </div><div><br></div><div>Give us this day, everything we need to live lives of freedom in you. </div><div><br></div><div>Let us be forgivers, people who give out love and kindness freely and without reservation, as we have been forgiven and loved much. </div>
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<br></div><div>Papa, let me learn the lessons I need to learn without going through the fires of temptation. Don't let me be so self-focused that I miss your sweet comfort that guides me in the way of peace.</div><div><br></div><div>You take all the glory today and I will bathe in the warmth of I life lived near your heart.</div><div><br></div><div>Amen."</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>
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Jed and Kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872131378295559980noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153310898427543234.post-62419316214173304832013-05-20T07:01:00.001-07:002013-05-20T07:01:22.784-07:00Warm Buses and Warm Hearts...heheheIt's a well-known fact among my real-life friends and fam that I'm an extra warm-blooded person. I rarely wear a coat, and Jed constantly bemoans the fact that I'm passing that trait on to our kids. Who needs a jacket? They're so bulky! I'd much rather run from the house to the car to the store and back, than to be suffocated by a bulky jacket. Don't even get me started on the suffocation factor of scarves. I get it that they're cute, a little pop of color for an otherwise bland outfit, but am I the only one that can't handle the strangulation? Just the thought of a turtleneck makes me feel like my airway is about to close. <br />
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All that to say, warm weather and lack of airflow is a major downfall to my suitability as a missionary. If you've ever traveled overseas you know what I mean. Think warm bus, no windows down, stalled in traffic. I have to talk myself down from the ledge. "You actually won't suffocate. There is air available, just breathe deeply." </div>
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Where am I going with this? I have no idea. I just had to talk it out because as I write this we're on a fairly warm bus headed back to Zhitomir. I've been sweating for the past 12 days, and so it continues today. (I'm a Bittner. We sweat.) Anywayssssss....I just needed you to feel my pain for a sec. I feel better now. :)</div>
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Now, on to more pleasant topics that don't involve sweat and strangulation. </div>
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This past weekend was loads of fun! We drove back to Kiev on Friday afternoon with our friend Oleg who happened to be heading that way. He dropped us at the metro and we headed to the church where they were having a concert to reach the unreached. We took the metro to the stop we knew was closest to the church and then hopped off. It's like a 20 minute walk from the metro to the church, and Jed, with his bat-like sense of direction, led us straight there without a hitch. What a guy.</div>
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Jed promptly filled in on the bass and we got to see lots of people we love. It was a good time. </div>
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After the concert we went home with our friend Sergei. We had the BEST time staying with Sergei and Alyona. Seriously. Being around their kids made us miss our babies something fierce, but we managed. :) </div>
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Alyona cooked for us and fed us nonstop. Yum. Who am I to complain? Her love language is feeding people, and we're eaters; a match made in heaven. </div>
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On Saturday morning we met Jim and Marianna Peipon (remember Olya and I went with Marianna to visit the baby at the hospital?) at their flat to tag along with them to a picnic. Fun, fun, fun! The picnic was for a coalition for children at risk. Basically, a group of people consisting of Ukrainians, Americans, Russians, and Mexicans, who work with children at risk in various ways around Kiev got together to fellowship and eat together. They welcomed us with open arms and we had a great time. It was so fascinating to hear about what others are doing to help kids and how God led them to Ukraine. We made some new friendships and some good connections. Who knows what God plans to do with those relationships in the future? We are open, and excited to find out. Thank you new friends for making us feel so welcome! We'll see you again soon with kiddos in tow!</div>
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Saturday afternoon and evening we hung out with various friends and laughed a lot. </div>
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Sunday, oh I loved Sunday. It started out with Alyona feeding us some more delicious food, and ended the same. Hehe</div>
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We headed out to church by taxi after the frantic rusharound of your typical Sunday morning. It was hilarious to talk (sign/google translate) with Sergei about how Sunday mornings are the same for families all around the world. "Hurry up! Eat your breakfast! Stop hitting your brother please. Grrrrr." Then you get to church "Hallelujah...." Yep. Sunday morning in Ukraine is just like Sunday morning in Salem. Why is that? Hilarious and true. If your Sunday morning isn't stressful, let me in on your secret. ;) </div>
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After a great time at church we joined our friends in their typical Sunday afternoon hangout. Everyone takes the marshrutka to our fave: Puzata Hata! Puzata Hata is a cafeteria-style Ukrainian restaurant. Delish and cheap with plenty of space for hours of chattin' it up. As our friend Andrei says "Sunday afternoon is for relationship."</div>
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After the deliciousness of Puzata Hata we walked for a bit, talking more, till we got to the metro and parted ways. Sergei and Alyona went to go buy their kids a pet mouse (yep, that's totally not happening at my house) and we went with our friend Elvin to chat more since we won't see him again before we leave Ukraine. </div>
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After that it was home again home again jiggety jig. Alyona fed us some more, and Jed and Sergei drooled over guitars online- just your typical Sunday night when you live with a musician. </div>
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Anya and I did this:</div>
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I give this past weekend two thumbs way up. We are so blessed to have good friends in Kiev who love us. The feeling is so mutual.</div>
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Jed and Kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872131378295559980noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153310898427543234.post-41532759508141846852013-05-19T13:31:00.000-07:002013-05-19T13:31:27.918-07:00Pics to Hold You OverHi all! Did you miss me? ;)<br />
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What a weekend! We spent the weekend in Kiev and had such a refreshing, wonderful time. We will head out bright and early tomorrow morning to take a taxi and a bus back to Zhitomir for meetings at MTU. </div>
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This weekend has been a fabulous whirlwind of fun with our Vineyard friends. We stayed with Sergei, the pastor, his wife Alyona and kids Anya and Vanya. They speak about as much English as we do Russian, so it's been quite the adventure. (Honestly. their English is better than our Russian, but who's counting?) There's been a lot of sign language, google translate, and shrugs with laughter. </div>
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I'd love to write more, but I'm so tired I can barely keep my eyes open. Tomorrow night after we're done with MTU for the day we'll have some downtime. I'll fill you in on all the details then. </div>
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Here's some pics to give you a taste of our weekend fun!</div>
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1. Jed joined in on the bass at a concert Friday night. 2. Anya, Olya, and yummy waffles. 3. Aslan is on the move! Hehe 4. Anya and I gettin' our photo booth on. 5. Sunny walks after delicious Sunday feasting. </div>
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Jed and Kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872131378295559980noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153310898427543234.post-60333502665584298212013-05-18T20:26:00.000-07:002013-05-18T20:26:42.220-07:00Being HumanHave you ever tried to cut back blackberry brush?<br />
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If you have, you are already feeling that sense of dread. If you haven't, imagine fighting off the huge squid on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.<br />
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You'll spend hours fighting a blackberry bush and when you step back it looks like you were sitting on your hands, "Oh, that's nice Honey. What have you been doing out there all morning?"<br />
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Shoulders slumped, you head back out to the fray, hoping to make a dent in the seemingly insurmountable task. Hands bleeding, mud up to your calves, the stench of something that died at the far end of the brambles but you push on. <br />
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Though this is a bit of a crass example, there is a similar feeling that must come across the beautiful men and women who faithfully go to Romaniv (an orphanage for boys with special needs) every week. "Am I making any difference?"<br />
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I'm just assuming they feel this way some days, cause riding in the van out there yesterday you wouldn't have known they feel anything but joy. These folks are my heroes. <br />
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Kim and I have a favorite place at Romaniv. It's called the Isolation Room. Most of the boys and men are mobile, though with varying levels of difficulty. I am reticent to show you pictures because it is quite traumatic and I want you to meet them, not just see them. <br />
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Let me tell you about Zhenya. If I showed you a picture you would see a quiet boy, drooling and hunched over. With his head down, his eyes would be looking up at you with a precious, but distant smile across his face.</div>
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But as the music started to play and I had the honor of cuddling Zhenya, his stiff body softened. As I rubbed his head he leaned into me and fell asleep. He woke up and smiled at me and I looked into his eyes and smiled at him. I prayed Jesus would be near to his heart. That he would feel the love of God. That he would just feel human. I will continue to pray for Zhenya. Will you?</div>
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Now I need to tell you about Vova. If you saw him you would see cuts, scrapes and bites all over him. You would see his hands and wrists bleeding and mutilated by years of wounds trying to heal. You would see an old man in a boy-size body. But his scowled face softened as a wonderful nun started to play music. She comes every week. Vova's posture relaxed, just a little. I crouched next to him and put my arm around him. There was a part of me that felt afraid. I'd like to say I'm in perfect peace at Romaniv, but some moments are harder than others. He got to spend an hour and a half where he didn't feel the need to self-stim by biting himself. </div>
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Our over-the-top "need" for cleanliness and purel puts up a lot of barriers for us folks in the west, but Vova needs to know he is worthy of love and affection. He needs someone brave enough. The amazing people who volunteer weekly to come play with these boys are astounding. Jesus, be near Vova's heart. Let him feel your love, Father. Holy Spirit bring peace to his mind and body.</div>
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Lastly I must tell you about Misha. Last year he was the little boy in the corner who was very closed off, self-stimulated by hiting the bridge of his nose and his temple. </div>
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A year later he looked much healthier, though he has the same wounds he was more engaged with people. When Betta, the nun, began to play he immediatly softened. His face relaxed, with the slightest smile. He swayed side to side with his eyes closed and it was beautiful to see the change in him. Jesus, be near Misha. Father, pour out your love onto Misha. Holy Spirit bring your peace.</div>
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The consistent faithfullness of Mission to Ukraine and the volunteers who come every week is making a difference in these boys. They are changing, growing, healing. God's Kingdom is coming and it is beautiful. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Matt. 5:3</div>
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It was our absolute honor to come alongside MTU yesterday and love on the boys and men of Romaniv. The mutual love and excitement in the air was almost tangible. We can't wait to be weekly participants in this mission of love once we move to Zhitomir. </div>
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As we rode home, I marveled at Betta's smile. She didn't need to know that what she was doing supported brain development and attachment. She just feels God's pleasure as she loves on His children. Glimpses of the Kingdom of Heaven breaking through in the most unlikely of places. </div>
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Kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094470531011819587noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153310898427543234.post-52941051732298015242013-05-16T21:30:00.001-07:002013-05-16T21:30:35.682-07:00It's Not Nothing<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Have you ever tried to move a piano?<br />
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Have you ever set out to lift something you have no business trying to move?</div>
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You call all your friends, you even grab a neighbor or two. Everyone gets their hands on this huge piece of wood. 1... 2.... <b>3...</b> </div>
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If you got enough helpers you're thinking, "Wow, we got this! Geez, this thing is dense." Though the weight is significant and you can tell that you are part of lifting something quite large, it's not unbearable.</div>
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On the other hand, if you only have three other fellas... That pre-war mass of oak, steal and copper is a whole other animal. 1... 2... <b>3... </b> "put it down! put it down!" </div>
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You all step back and think, "What did we get ourselves into?" You do a bit of strategizing, come up with your best possible plan, dig deep, get a little angry and hype yourselves up. You grab that big piece of wood and with every muscle and ounce of strength; you heave that beast out of the house. </div>
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Hold that feeling in your mind. The one we've all felt right before doing a job we feared would break us. You knew the weight was crazy, we are bending at the knees, stealing ourselves for the pain...</div>
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1... 2... <b>3... </b></div>
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As I landed in Kiev yesterday I started feeling this weight. Not overbearing, just a subtle nagging in the back of my brain. I was mostly sensing God's pleasure and enjoying the sights and smells as Sergie, Elvin and I headed for the metro to find the closest Puzata Hata. YUM.</div>
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It was so nice to sit down and hear what God is doing in Elvin's life and to hear Sergie's passion for Ukrainians to know Christ. They are sweet brothers and I'm looking forward to spending time together, playing music and drinking some good beer.</div>
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After having a full belly, which is what Puzata Hata means, we dashed off to where I could get on the bus to Zhitomir. "Kim, I'm so close." I woke up a couple hours later and stumbled off the bus. Right after I grabbing my bag I started looking around for my beautiful bride. </div>
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I knew I would see her bright eyes and shining smile, if I kept looking around. Then I heard my name through a wide grin and turned around to see Kimber skipping toward me. I am the most blessed man in the world. I am married to a beautiful, confident and passionate woman who loves God and loves people. She is going to change the world and I get to watch it happen right in front of me.</div>
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She dragged my 'sight-for-sore-eyes' back to the house we are living at to FaceTime the kids and get cleaned up. "You can't fall asleep, Jed."</div>
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As we went out for dinner, that nagging feeling started at me again. Hand-in-Hand with my wife, talking about her adventures and what God was speaking and doing and I couldn't shake it. So, I decided to embrace the feeling and see where it would take me. Let the melancholy sink-in and figure out what I was trying to process. All the while, feeling God's pleasure as I listened to Kim share about the wonderful people she met and all the wisdom they had shared with her. </div>
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I fell asleep, holding Kimber and feeling blessed. But, I also just had this sense of weight. "What we are about to do is weighty. It's costly. It's real," I said to myself. This isn't just a dream off in the distance. This is happening. 1... 2... Zzzzz... I was out cold.</div>
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I woke up with Matthew 11 running through my noggin'. "My yoke is easy and My burden is light." I felt like Jesus was saying, "My yoke is easy and light for you, but it's not nothing. You are joining me in something I hold dearly and is heavy on My heart, Jed." </div>
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I can feel the dense weight of what God is calling us to, but, in faith I trust that He is carrying the weight. </div>
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So, instead of digging deep and hyping myself up, I am sitting here feeling the density of what we are a part of, but I am entrusting the weight of it in the hands of the one who stretched out His arms for the world. He lifted a far heavier piece of wood and I can trust Him. 1... 2... 3...</div>
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Jed and Kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872131378295559980noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153310898427543234.post-83042160919541183912013-05-15T12:53:00.001-07:002013-05-15T12:53:23.627-07:00You Can Never Make Enough New Friends!Well hello there!<br />
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I have had such an interesting time here in Zhitomir so far. As I walk around town I find myself trying to memorize everything I see, like I'll be tested on it later. Which, I guess I kind of will be tested on it, say, come November? If I see a nice store I try to lock it into my brain and remember the sign. If I see a nice park with kids playing I tuck that one away for later. I take notes in my phone of bus and marshrutka prices, grocery prices and what food you can find where. Who knows if any of this will really help later on, but it makes me feel better, so don't knock it.</div>
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Yesterday morning I woke up with absolutely no idea what we were going to do that day. (Remember the whole staying awake stewing till 1:00am? Ahem.) I woke up at like 7 and called Jed on skype. </div>
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"What are we going to do today? If we don't make contact with anyone will the day be wasted?"</div>
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Jed, being ever wiser than I said "Just go outside, walk and pray. That's the most important thing you can do." What a guy. </div>
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So, I headed out the door, headphones on, walking and praying for our new city. I want to see these people the way God sees them. I want Him to completely have His way in our lives and in Zhitomir.</div>
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I had been walking and praying for a while when my phone rang. It was Tammy Swailes, one of the contacts I had hoped to make here in Zhitomir! Okay, funny story: back when I was a kid my parents had a friend named Mary Jill. I think maybe she was from Alaska, and I'm pretty sure we met at least once. (Hi Mary Jill!) Throughout the years I would hear her name, but I never really knew her. Anyway, when we started to tell people we were moving to Ukraine, my uncle and my dad told me that Mary Jill was now a missionary in Hungary. "You should connect with Mary Jill! Maybe she knows people in Ukraine!" Hmmm, maybe? So, at one point we connected with Mary Jill, and when she found out we were going to be living in Zhitomir, sh told us that lo and behold one of her dearest friends lives near, and works in Zhitomir! Enter Tammy Swailes. :)</div>
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Tammy called me as I was walking and praying and asked if I was up for a coffee. Hint: I'm always up for a coffee. So, she swung by, picked me up, we picked up Olya and headed for a place in Zhitomir that Tammy said I needed to know about. While we drove we tried to figure out how we were connected. Funny how small the world is and how the foreigner population in Ukraine is even a much tinier world. I love it! </div>
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Oh my, was Tammy right about me needing to know about the absolute gem she took us to! Thank you Tammy!! I am forever indebted. She took us to "Global UA", basically a huge shopping mall with a ginormous grocery store called "Караван" (Caravan). It also has a big electronics store, a second hand clothing store, and all the other more expensive type stores that malls usually have. The second hand will come in handy (haha) since clothes here are so expensive. We looked around and then had a coffee together. Tammy has lived here for like 12 years. Wow! I just found my how-to-live-in-Zhitomir mentor. Are you up for it Tammy? :) </div>
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We had the greatest time. Tammy is so warm and comfortable. Olya and I both agreed that we are big Tammy fans. So, thanks Uncle Steve, Dad, and Mary Jill for making that happen! God is so good to look out for us and bring friendship from the least expected places. </div>
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After coffee Olya and I said good bye to dear Tammy and decided to browse a bit more around the mall to see what we could see. A few minutes later my phone rang and it was Alla, the second contact I was hoping to meet here in Zhitomir! At this point I just had to laugh at myself and my pointless worrying. I'm sure God already had a good chuckle at it. I would love to say I learned my lesson that God has everything planned out and I don't need to worry, but I have a feeling my learning is just beginning. :)</div>
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Alla is Ukrainian, and she is a part of a small group here called Bible Orphan Ministry (BOM). BOM does great orphan outreach and I've followed their blog for quite some time. All this past year I thought they were located in Kiev, but I was really happy to find out they live in Zhitomir! I had no idea that Zhitomir is kind of a "hub" for orphans with special needs for this region- and even other regions. Hmmm...curiouser and curiouser... :) Fascinating that God would plant us here, eh?</div>
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Olya and I met the BOM team, Misha, Alla, Nadia, and Oksana at their church and then we set off for an orphanage about 30km away. Every Friday they visit this orphanage and teach the older kids about Jesus. The Director loves them and totally allows them to preach the Gospel. We went on a Tuesday because they were going to do the final class for the kids who are "graduating", or we like to say, aging out. This week they will leave the orphanage and who knows what their futures hold. </div>
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Three of the kids will go to study at a trade school a ways away. A few of them have families, but they are pretty poor, so they won't have the opportunity to pursue any studies. At least one of the boys can't read, so that's not an option for him anyway. Some will be on their own. </div>
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There are several people we know of who focus ministry on typical kids who are aging out of orphanages. I always knew this work was important, but never felt a particular passion for it. I definitely felt a passion for the disabled who age out to mental institutions, but honestly hadn't given a ton of thought to the typically developing teens. All I needed was to meet some of them face to face and that all changed.</div>
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These kids are babies! They are just babies! The BOM team gave them gifts of bedding, a cooking pot, a bowl, and a spoon. The kids were ecstatic. Such treasures! </div>
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After BOM shared with the kids and gave them gifts they asked me to introduce myself and let the kids know why I was there. Oh my, how humbling to share just a bit with those precious kids. How is it that I have the life I have and they have theirs? How is it that I was raised by parents who loved me and taught me to love? How is it that I have the choice to move here and care for others, when these kids have no choices? Why them and not me?</div>
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Great gifts mean great responsibilities; greater gifts, greater responsibilities! </div>
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Humbling. Wow. Praise God for people like Alla, Misha, Nadia, and Oksana who spend their lives equipping these kids who have so few people rooting for them. Alla told me they make it a point to often tell the kids that Jesus loves them and He created them special. They are precious to Him. May that truth dig deep into their hearts and settle there for good. </div>
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After we left the orphanage we went out to eat and chat. The BOM team got comfy with Olya and I and we had some good laughs. Eating together does that. Don't you love a good laugh over dinner? </div>
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So, for a day with absolutely no plans, God managed to fill it up quite nicely! Ha!</div>
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Today I said good bye to Olya (boohoooooo) since she needed to head back to Kiev for work. I explored Zhitomir, did a thorough investigation of available foods at the big grocery store at the mall (gluten-free pasta! Who knew?), and skyped with family and friends. Tomorrow I'll spend the day at MTU and hopefully look at some apartments with the realtor. </div>
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Best news? Jed is on his way to the airport and tomorrow night he'll be with me!!!! I am so ready to have him here. I hope the day passes quickly until he gets here. :)</div>
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That's all I got for today. Off to bed now, dreaming of my babies at home. I miss them a ton, but God is so gracious to help all of our hearts. Thank you family and friends for loving on my babes. Knowing they are with people who love them dearly keeps this Mama from becoming a hot mess. THANK YOU!</div>
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I'll leave you with a glimpse of the cuteness that is my babies </div>
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(minus Addy and Ez because it took me a minute to figure out how to take a screen shot)</div>
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Lucky me. <br />
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Jed and Kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872131378295559980noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153310898427543234.post-86390862266851287272013-05-14T13:46:00.004-07:002013-05-14T13:47:20.069-07:00Pass the Tissues...<div>
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So last night I laid in bed awake till almost 1:00am with a brain that wouldn't shut off. What was I thinking about, you ask?</div>
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-What will we do tomorrow?</div>
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-I have to take advantage of every moment. What if none of my contact hopes works out for tomorrow? Will it be a "wasted" day?</div>
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-Is Mission to Ukraine (MTU) expecting me to come in tomorrow? Hmmm...I better check in with them first thing.</div>
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-There sure are a lot dogs barking. Kinda makes me feel like I'm in Kosovo. :)</div>
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-I hope Jed gets to Zhitomir okay on Thursday. He won't have a phone...how will I know when to meet him at the city center?</div>
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Yeah, my mind was spinning and I was kind of worrying...about everything. People tell me all the time that they could never do what we are doing, or getting ready to do. How do we do it? How are we so brave? Hahahahaha! Now you see. :) We are nothing special. Sometimes we look like deer in headlights. We cry (well, not so much "we", more "me"). We fret. We keep ourselves awake worrying about things we can't do anything about. But, in the end we just put one foot in front of the other and praise God He's not afraid to use cracked, imperfect vessels like you and me to be His hands and feet. </div>
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It kind of reminds me of our time fostering. People would always say they could never foster; that it would be too hard to let the babies go after you start to get attached. Let me tell ya, it <b>was</b> too hard. It was impossibly hard. But, God called us to it and He gave us grace for what He called us to. It doesn't mean it didn't hurt like crazy. It doesn't mean we didn't ever cry ourselves to sleep at night because of the heartache. It just means that when He calls you <b>HE gives you every single thing you need to accomplish His purposes</b>. And because of that I would do it all over again in a second. </div>
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This is scary. This is wonderful. This is exciting. But trust me; we are not anything special. Talk to our close friends and family. Pass the tissues, 'cause we all got issues. We worry about all the same things you would worry about if you were in our shoes, but we know He will give us every single thing we need to accomplish His purposes. We just need reminders of that every 5 minutes or so.</div>
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That truth is not only for us! I don't know who all is reading this, but I know that God wants to remind someone about this truth today. </div>
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He is enough. He will make the way. He will smooth the path. His word does what it sets out to accomplish. He doesn't expect you to be super strong or super brave or even a little bit perfect. He asks you to be willing, and the rest is up to Him.</div>
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Step out! Act on the dreams God has planted in your heart. Tell Him you are willing and watch what He does. Don't let fear hold you back. Love fully. Live fully. Trust. (I'm preaching to myself today too!) </div>
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Isaiah 55:10-13 rocks my world: </div>
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<b>"For your thoughts are not my thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares The Lord.</b></div>
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<b>As the heavens are higher than then the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.</b></div>
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<b>As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." </b></div>
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Oh, but it gets better. Listen to what happens when we trust! This is the best:</div>
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<b>"You will go out in joy and be led out in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you and all the trees of the fields will clap their hands. </b></div>
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<b>Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree </b>(Ha!!! Yesssss!)<b> and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. </b></div>
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<b>This will be for the Lord's renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed," </b></div>
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It is my joy; it is your joy to partner with The Lord in His work. <br />
Trees clapping, hills singing...bring it. </div>
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Jed and Kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872131378295559980noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153310898427543234.post-11817719835507829962013-05-13T11:26:00.001-07:002013-05-13T11:26:58.255-07:00StepsToday in 21 Easy Steps:<div><br></div><div>1. Wake up at Olya's and head for the metro. Take a marshrutka (mini bus) instead of walking because Addy's little rolling suitcase I brought doesn't like Ukrainian sidewalks. :)</div><div><br></div><div>2. Head down the blue metro line.</div><div><br></div><div>3. Switch to the red metro line.</div><div><br></div><div>4. Find bus headed to Zhitomir.</div><div><br></div><div>5. Hop on the bus and find Dima, fellow Kiev Vineyard friend, headed to Zhitomir as well! Small world.</div><div><br></div><div>6. Olya and Dima take care of some planning for summer camps as we head down the road to Zhitomir. Nice multi-tasking! I stare out the window, on the lookout for coniferous trees. Surely they exist in Ukraine, right? In Kiev all you see is leafy trees. I'm an Oregon girl! I need to see some needles on those branches!</div><div><br></div><div>7. As we near Zhitomir pine trees start to pop up. It's a sign! Not only is Zhitomir one of the rainiest cities in Ukraine, but they have coniferous trees! I am at peace.</div><div><br></div><div>8. Take taxi to Mission to Ukraine because I can't remember exactly how to walk there, and Addy's suitcase doesn't like Ukrainian sidewalks, remember?</div><div><br></div><div>9. Meet landlady at Mission to Ukraine, give MTU staff big hugs. SOOOOOO happy to see their faces again! Sigh....contentment.</div><div><br></div><div>10. Walk to house we will stay in for the next several days while in Zhitomir. We are pleasantly surprised! This is a great place. :)</div><div><br></div><div>11. Take marshrutka to city center to find some food. Hunger calls. We eat borscht and crepes at delicious Celantanos. Again, contentment. </div><div><br></div><div>12. Now we have our bearings so we walk back to MTU.</div><div><br></div><div>13. Meet realtor, Sveta, at MTU and head upstairs to chat House Hunters International details. Coffee and tea provided by the fabulous Oksana.</div><div><br></div><div>14. Take marshrutka to check out apartment for rent. Pleasantly surprised yet again! The location isn't good, but it gave me an idea of what is possible on our budget. We plan to meet the realtor again on Thursday when she has had some time to look around for what we are interested in. Sweet, Christian lady. Yay God!</div><div><br></div><div>15. Obligatory stop for ice cream. (Duh.)</div><div><br></div><div>16. Take marshrutka back to city center.</div><div><br></div><div>17. Walk from city center back to our neighborhood because we don't know what marshrutka will take us closer to home. :)</div><div><br></div><div>18. Stop at the store for groceries. It's a small store where everything is behind the counter and you have to ask for whatever you want. Note to self: don't attempt this store alone. Yikes. ;) </div><div><br></div><div>19. Walk back to house. </div><div><br></div><div>20. Skype kids, meet pastor with extra key, make dinner, start laundry, make contacts for tomorrow, hang laundry to dry, do dishes, write blog.</div><div><br></div><div>21. Pass out. </div><div><br></div><div>I can't really describe my feelings at being in Zhitomir today, knowing we will live here. I have too many feelings ruminating to be able to accurately describe them, so I'll wait and try another day. :) </div><div><br></div><div>All I can say is that I truly can't believe this is happening. </div><div>Happy, excited, freaked out, impatient, dreading, scared, confident, trusting, fretting, content.</div><div>All of the above within a 5 minute stretch. Oy. God is good and His love never fails! </div>Jed and Kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872131378295559980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153310898427543234.post-91816228292884244992013-05-12T13:23:00.001-07:002013-05-12T13:23:46.065-07:00Blind Date on Sunday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Warning, I'm in a bit of a mood. Not a bad mood, just a quirky mood. An I'm-not-sure-what-will-come-out-of-my-mouth (or fingers) mood. You've been warned. Now feel free to read on. :)</div>
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Today was loads of fun. I laughed a lot today. Don't you love days like that? </div>
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Today I got to go to Kiev Vineyard! I love that place so much. Jed was super jealous, and you all should be jealous too because it's a wonderful place to be. Hehe</div>
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Last year when we walked into Kiev Vineyard we felt right at home, and I felt that even more this time. I feel like I can just "be". I don't have to be "on". I don't have to be a certain anything. I am loved just as I am. I may not understand a lick of the worship or teaching, but I understand the heart, the passion, the love. Our hearts beat the same as the other hearts in that room and that's enough. </div>
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After church my friends Anya and Sasha walked me to the metro because I had a blind date with an American couple. Anya and Sasha were pretty afraid to leave me to navigate the metro alone. What? Me, alone in a city of millions of people I can't communicate with, on the metro, alone? What's to worry about? Ha! I wasn't worried at all. </div>
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They wanted to come along, but I promised I would be fine. After I finally promised to call Sasha when I arrived, they let me go. I felt so loved! :)</div>
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The metro is a people-watcher's heaven. Seriously. Old people, babies, people in a rush, people taking their time, people with flowers, people with guitars, Babushkas with big grocery bags. I just want to squeeze those cute little grandmas! They're so stinkin' cute! </div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">Annnnnd I made the trip without a hitch! Aren't you all proud of me? </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">I met Kevin and Debbie Nelson on my blind date and just had the best time. I can't say enough. I love them! The crazy thing is, I got their info from my friend Kim who's been praying for them for a long time now, but she's never met them. Jed and I thought we shouldn't turn down any possible connection so we emailed the Nelsons and arranged the date. Then I was talking with a co-worker at the hospital a week before I left for this trip and she told me she has a cousin in Kiev and I should meet her. Well, the cousin just happens to be the one and only, Debbie Nelson! Ha! Destiny's child I tell ya.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Kevin, Debbie, and I went to my fave restaurant, Puzata Hata, so I was instantly happy. We proceeded to spend the next almost 3 hours chattin it up about life in Ukraine and what brought us all here. I can't believe I didn't get a picture of the Nelsons because they are just fabulous. They are real, funny, wise, and faithful. God first took them to Russia where they served for several years, and now they've been in Ukraine for the past 8 years. They gave me advice on everything from prayer support, to visas, to apartment choosing, to appliance voltage, to grocery shopping.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">I would totally consider a second date with Kevin and Debbie. Too bad it can't be tomorrow! :)</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">I managed to make it home to Olya's apartment without getting even close to lost, and came home to an apartment filled with friends. Success.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Tomorrow Olya and I head to Zhitomir to check out the future Johnson landing place and to meet with a realtor. It should be quite the adventure. House Hunters International anyone? </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Good night all! A special good night to my Mom. Love you Mom! Happy Mother's Day! Here's your present! </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">(She wants more pictures of me on the blog, just like I can't get enough pics of my babies while I'm gone. Once a mommy, always a mommy) :)</span></div>
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Jed and Kimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872131378295559980noreply@blogger.com3