UK Blitz

A couple weeks ago I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting up with my dear friend Becky and her friend Heather in England. After a quick day in London we headed up to Edinburgh Scotland and stayed with some friends of friends (gotta love connections) for 2 nights. Scotland is simply charming and we had so much fun exploring the streets, castle and cafes. Here are a few highlights.

Becky, Heather and I in the classic phone booths

The tower bridge at night

In trifalgar square with the Lion

A beautiful day in Edinburgh

On the Royal Mile in Edinburgh

You never know when you will find a collection of bagpipe players in kilts!
He said something nice...

The Castle at night

We were excited to spot Mel Gibson!!

What makes a man rich?

For the past week I have been being "mama" to my 5 cousins here in Kiev. The real mama and papa were in the US so I got to be the fill in for a week. This is not a first--I think I'm becoming a pro actually. It can be a challenge at times being a single mom to 5 but it is always a lot of fun too--because they are GREAT kids and well...I just love them a lot!
The other morning, little John shared something at breakfast that I think was quite profound for a 5 year-old. Andre, who just turned 9 was talking about different people he knows that are "rich" and all the cool things they have, and then he stopped and said, "Karen, are we rich?"
I went in to a little explanation about how we are indeed rich because we have so many things, and a roof over our heads and food three times a day--and well so much of the world does not (really deep I know). And then he asked, "well what makes a man rich?" And before I could come up with an even more profound answer, little John pipes in and answers, "you're rich if you trust in God!"

Wow! Talk about a good reality check I was given from a 5-year-old! Sometimes it takes the little one's to put it all back in perspective. Thanks John. :)

Trust

Trust. This is my word of the moment. The word I keep having to remind myself of. Trusting the Lord and where He is leading...even when I don't fully understand.
A year ago I was on a silent retreat with people from church and the Lord impressed upon my heart Psalm 37 over that weekend and it brought me much encouragement for where I was at. Well it seems to be that exactly a year later that Psalm is bringing truth to me again and God is taking me to a new place of letting go and trusting Him- inspite of all my doubts and fears.

Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; TRUST in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him...(Psalm 37:3-7)

About a week and a half ago I had to make a decision that involved a lot of trust. Trust in the Lord and where He is leading, Trust in the Holy Spirit's guidance, and trusting a lack of peace that I have had inside for quite some time. I ended my 6 month relationship with my dear Max. It's weird to even be writing about this in a public forum sort of way, but at the same time it is where I'm at right now, and I guess it is good to be able to let people in- even as I process all my random thoughts. Letting go of someone you deeply care about and have spent so much time with is a very hard process...even when you sense it is where the Lord is leading. I have to say that in the moments after our difficult conversation I wanted to take my words back and hold on to the familiar-- afraid of the unknown future and of being alone again. But then there was that word again...TRUST. It was a word that kept coming up even in the days leading up to my conversation with Max. Friends encouraging me that I have to keep my eyes on Jesus and trust that He has the bigger picture in his hands. In those moments of doubt that is all I can cling to-- trusting Jesus..trusting that He will continue to guide my feet...and Max's too...and that my doubting and worrying will do no good. Instead I just have to let go...and TRUST Him. And really, it's not only a daily decision, but a moment by moment decision.
I don't know where you are at in this season of your life and if you are found in the midst of a mountain peak or a darker valley...but I pray you too can hear the whisper of his voice, however quiet it may be...saying "Trust me."
May we encourage one another when our vision becomes blurred.

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!