We are still waiting for snow in Ukraine! The sun has disappeared and left us with a dark hazy cloud covering with intermittent showers. In other words, "BORING!" Snow will make everything interesting for a couple of months until we all get tired of the cycle of snowing, melting, splashing through muddy streets while dodging cars and then a repeat of the cycle with another layer of ice to deal with on top of it all.
I am also a bit jealous that in other parts of the world so many are already getting ready for Christmas! No Christmas/New Year's lights yet. The season gets a bit of a late start here.
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Still Waiting For Snow!
Posted by Michelle at 1:39 PM 0 comments
Labels: Christmas, Kyiv Weather, Snow, Ukraine
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
The Presidential Election Continues
Posted by Michelle at 6:22 PM 1 comments
Labels: Another Ukrainian Election, Kyiv Protests
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Book Review - What's So Amazing About Grace?
What is so amazing about grace, in my opinion, is that it is such a difficult concept for us humans to understand much less show or receive.
Usually after receiving God's grace, we then begin to get busy building our own kingdoms for God and begin dictating a legalistic set of rules for everyone who joins our new social club to follow.
I bet anyone who has spent any time in any church will testify to this. (If they are not living in denial.) I also bet that anyone who has considered life inside a church but stays away from churches will tell you it's because they don't understand the people inside of them, who tell them God loves them but then show them no grace in their relationships with other people.
In his book, "What's So Amazing About Grace?" author Philip Yancey addresses these issues and other thoughts about grace in his thoughtful and intelligent writing style. I felt in turns convicted and then abruptly offered grace as I read it.
While this book was published as a "Christian" book, I think that those who are not Christians might enjoy this book if they want to see a glimpse of how Christians, who are so often stereotyped in our media as ungraceful, (and some definitely earn this title by their own words and actions) should be behaving. Ah, but you see! I've just made an "un-graceful" assumption about a group of people!
I guess you better read the book!

Posted by Michelle at 9:40 AM 1 comments
Labels: book review, Christian Church, Christianity, Divine grace, Philip Yancey, Religion and Spirituality, What's So Amazing About Grace?
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Link To Ukraine Holodomor Memorial Photos/Videos
The blog Ukrainiana features a post on last nights memorial service for the Ukrainian holodomor. The post has tons of photos and some videos as well.
To see the post, click HERE!

Posted by Michelle at 1:41 PM 1 comments
Labels: Holodomor Memorial, links, Ukraine
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Ukrainian Holodomor Memorial Day
Friday, November 27, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Thanksgiving 2009
I am thankful for:
A God who shows me grace among many other blessings.
My family who puts up with me living so far away from them.
My friends who are now literally from all over the world. You support and encourage me in so many different ways!
My church stateside, which is filled with people who are more than wonderful.
My church in Ukraine, which is challenging me to be a stronger Christian.
Our ministry which is filled with people both in the states and in Ukraine who have allowed me to work along side them and to use the gifts God gave me to serve him.
I am thankful to the children in our ministry. They bring me a lot of joy and have taught me so much about life.
I am thankful for my brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world who are committed to live out their faith in a genuine and authentic way.
Posted by Michelle at 12:56 PM 1 comments
Labels: Life in Ukraine, Thanksgiving Day
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Election Posters
Posted by Michelle at 1:33 PM 1 comments
Labels: Another Ukrainian Election, election poster photos, Ukraine
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Black And Whites
There ARE weird vapor streaks appearing in the skies over Kyiv. Here some of them help make my photo more interesting. I took this November 22.
Posted by Michelle at 4:40 PM 0 comments
Labels: Kyiv Photos













