10 Random Thoughts

1)The snow has been falling off and on all day, which was a bit of a disappointment since we just started to see the sun and feel warmer.  It's funny, only a few months ago the girls were jumping up and down with excitement over the snow, now they are sad and wanting it to go so they can go play in the sand.  It has given me something to look at as I wait for Eric.

Where's Eric?

2)He is meeting with the owner of the building/property we are planning on buying for the church.  Lord willing, they will be finishing up the paperwork today. 

3)Only 20 more days until we head to Poland!  Which means Pizza Hut, Subway, Burger King, and all kinds of good food (like fancy peppermint patties...at least they taste about the same, only more delicate).  Although food is a big, exciting part of Poland, another big blessing for me is the opportunity to get out.  I love walking around on the clean sidewalks, in the malls or in the parks.  Sometimes it's hard not having the freedom to go somewhere when I want to.  Now that we are in the village, sometimes I even go weeks without seeing a grocery store!  (As Anna would say, "Awww.  Poor Mama.")  I have started to get use to it and do love being home, but I do enjoy having the freedom to get around too.  Now that my sister is here and it's starting to warm up, it's not as much of a problem anymore.  I am also looking forward to looking for some stamping and scrapbooking stuff.  I heard that they had things like that in Poland, but I didn't know it last year when we were there.

4)  We have been getting out for some walks in the village.  The girls were very excited to see these...  Sammy didn't know what to think and just stared with big eyes.

5)Found this adorable little dress for Lydia at the second hand store last week.  I was SO excited!  I've always dreamed of having my little girls with puffy dresses and big bows but either hard to find, or too expensive here.

6)I still haven't learned how to sew, but I have finished a few mending projects that I've been wanting to do.  I still have a whole basket full, but I started to make a dent...until Eric bought some pants from the second hand store that I have to hem.  Oh, well.  Eventually the basket will be empty.  I have a few projects that I am super excited about, but maybe I will share them in a post later.  I also just added a few skirts of Anna's to my mending basket.  All of her skirts are too big around the waist and I have been meaning to add some elastic in the waist.  But I recently "accidentally" found this really cool idea in one of the skirts I bought from the second hand store and can't wait to try it out on her other skirts.  I was so excited about this idea that I was giddy and practically dancing around the room showing everyone. 

It is like this on both sides of her skirt on the back.  Isn't it neat?

7)  Anna was showing me shapes she was making out of her apples and when she found one that she said "looked kinda like an A", I couldn't help but cut the slits in it for her to make her shape a real A.  She was very anxious to eat it.  I'm surprised I managed to get a picture.  Now they will be asking for A's every time we eat apples!

8) The girls are loving just hanging out with their Auntie Bree.  They were so cute, I couldn't resist a photo.

9)I'm finally having more energy to get the house in order, which feels great.  I didn't realize how much energy the parasites suck out of me until we started treatment again.  I feel almost like a new woman!  Though I am going to have to start watching my eating after we get rid of them.

10)They just made a new law two days ago saying that home births cannot be registered.  It only makes me realize how much God has truly blessed all of my pregnacies and births.  As I hear the pregnancy and birth stories of other Ukrainian missionary wives, all I can say is, "Thank you, Lord!"  His mercy toward me has been great.  I know that I am not deserving of the mercy He has shown me.  No, it has not always been easy or pleasant, but I cannot begin to express how much God has blessed me.  Before Anna I said many times "I can't do this, Lord!"  Even though He has probably blessed me with the best births in all of Ukraine, after each pregnancy I would always say I couldn't do it again, but God always blessed me with the desires of my heart even with my lack of faith.  In fact, if you were to ask me now I would probably tell you I couldn't do it again (crying, if I was pregnant) especially now with the new rule; but I pray that I would obey if that is what He asks of me. 

Got to go get ready for the Bible study tonight.