Lena & Dennis' Wedding~ September 27th

My beautiful roommate Lena got married yesterday to a wonderful man named Dennis. I got to stand as the witness (like a maid of honor in the US) and watch her wonderful day unfold. It was a blessing to help put this wedding together and see how great everything turned out...even if just about all the details (including the location) were decided in the last week. Lena has been a wonderful roommate and friend for the last two years-- I'm sad to not have her with me anymore- but so excited for her future ahead. I've seen her grow and mature so much in the last two years, and her friendship has become so dear to me. Here are some fun photos from our wedding fun this weekend.

Wedding Bells...

Before you freak out too much-- no, it is not me getting married! But my roommate is tomorrow! In true Ukrainian fashion she arrives in on the train tomorrow morning, just in time to run home and get ready for her big day. In the mean time I've taken up a new job as a floral arranger. I have to say I have always had a thing for arranging roses, so when Lena said I could do the flowers for the wedding I was oh so excited. Here is a glimpse at my handy work tonight(I had to share it with someone). The photo displayed is of her bouquet and mine (I will be her witness/bridesmaid). I was thrilled today when my friend Galina took me to a "whole sale" flower shop where they had room after room of discount flowers...I went just a little crazy! Awesome prices-- I bought all the flowers for the wedding for under $100! Anyway, it is 1am and I still have to finish cleaning our apartment before she gets home in the morning. Be sure to check back after the weekend for the wedding photos!

Amerikanskaya Barbie

I remember when I first came to Ukraine 4 years ago, my Dad's cousin Steve (the director of our mission) had this great idea that I could be a part of our concert team that travels around the country performing shows for children and adults. Ha, I thought! As soon as I was here I realized that me acting in Russian would not be an option.
Well maybe Steve was prophetic in his idea...as this past weekend I traveld with our concert team to Kherson and performed in 2 children's concerts! One of our actresses recently resigned so they needed a quick fill in. I had a week to memorize my part (don't worry it wasn't very big!) and then we did one performance of each play this past weekend during a tent evangelization in Kherson. So what was my role? I was Barbie! I guess I was the first blonde Barbie they have had-- go figure! So anyway, the most memorable moment was when a little girl came up to me after the concert and asked, "are you a real Barbie?" How do you answer that question!?? I said yes...to humor her...and possibly myself. I guess I was living a little girl's childhood dream. I got to sign a few "Barbie" autographs in Russian too!
In addition to performing children's concerts we also got to stop by the Kherson Orphanage, where my team has worked a lot and the kids there are some of the ones we brought to the US last year. Below is a photo of Zina and Rimma, two girls that are very close to my heart that some friends are planning on adopting, prayerfully this will happen soon.

Baby oh Baby!

My time in the US this summer may have well been called a baby blitz! As that was what I did-- I spent my time meeting many new babies of some of my dearest friends. Above is a little collage to highlight some of these visits. All of them are pretty darn cute! (Top L Kesley, the baby of my friend Britliese)(Top C, Hayden my best friend Amber's new little guy who was born in June) (All three pictures on the far R are my most darling nephew Caleb) 2nd row left is my friend Katie's little girl Evangeline, middle space is my friend Christine and her new baby Avery-- who I actually got to meet in the hospital, she decided to be born right before I left- so I was glad about that! Bottom Left is my dear friend Annamarie's baby girl, Alaina- who I met first in December- but got some more sweet time with in August. And last in the bottom center is my friend Mandy's baby Evangeline (Evie) who was born in January and is a true miracle baby! Mandy and I became dear friends in Kiev but she is now in the US with her family in SC and I got to pay them a visit on my way back to Kiev. To read more about her Evie's miracous story visit www.seventhsmith.blogspot.com So that's the baby blitz!!! Needless to say my arms were VERY full!!
Below are some other fun pictures from my time at home! Enjoy!! :)
my 3 best friends and our babies...oh wait I had to steal one so that I could have a baby too!

my dear college roommate Danielle came up from California!
with my brother and Caleb
my sister-in-law Heather
Annamarie, Amber, Tara and I
grandpa and Caleb!

my cousin Honnah and I at the horse tracks

with Mama and Caleb in the pool
Beautiful Seattle

My wonderful family!



I don't want to say goodbye!