Journal Time again - Dec 2nd - Jan 15 08

Sunday, December 2, 2007 – January 15, 2008
This is going to be a brief writing of a month and a half!
Dec 2 – We had our fellowship at the church after morning services and said good bye to Kelli for the congregation. Then in the evening we had our goodbyes from our group. It is never easy!!!
Dec 3 - Kelli and I and Olya and Yulya went to Kiev to do souvenir shopping. The girls stayed with a friend and I stayed in the hotel by the airport.
Dec 4 -5 – Kelli and I flew to New York JFK airport together and then I continued on to Cleveland, OH and on to San Angelo, TX on the 5th. I was able to attend Jenise’s Art show. The main reason for this trip was to share in Jenise’s graduation and have at least a short family Christmas together with my 4 children. Jenise is graduating as a commercial artist and she is really very good!
Dec 6-8 – With Jenise, I attended a Bible Seminar at the Minda Street Church of Christ in Abilene, TX that was very interesting and good. I was still suffering from Jet lag, but did pretty good! Ben and his girlfriend, Erica, arrived in Abilene on the 7th. Ben will begin graduate school in Missions on January 7th.
Dec 9, 10 – I spent an extra couple of days in Abilene with Ben and Erica. We had a great time! On evening of the 10th, Jon, Jenise’s husband, came and got me and went back to San Angelo (about 90 miles). It was a good trip and time to talk.
Dec 11-14 – I had the privilege of taking care of delightful 9 month old grandson, Malachi or Mali, as Jenise finished up many projects and exams. Jenise has worked so hard and is so deserving of all the honor she is receiving! I am so proud of her!!!!!!!
Dec 15 – Butch, my oldest son and Janessa my youngest daughter with her son Gavin, had flown into Dallas and met my ex and her husband at the Dallas airport and then they drove to San Angelo in the morning. Ben and Erica came over from Abilene. I fixed a BIG breakfast for everyone and we had a grand reunion! Then in the afternoon we went to Jenise’s graduation at Angelo State University and shared in that great joy! Afterwards we had a celebration at Chili’s restaurant and had a nice supper there. Then back to Jenise and Jon’s apartment for the rest of the evening. GREAT DAY!
Dec 16 – We all worshipped together and then my kids and grandkids that were there (Butch’s wife, Erin and my 2 granddaughters Hannah and Ella were unable to come), had a dinner I had made in the crock pot together and then celebrated Christmas together for 3 hours! It was the first time in 10 years that we had all been together for Christmas! It was wonderful! Then my ex and her husband had Christmas with the kids and later invited me to join them too, which I did. Ben and Erica went home late that evening back to Abilene.
Dec 17-21 - Janessa, Gavin and Butch all left at 10am to fly back to their homes. Our time was good, but so short! The blessing is that I had another week with Jenise and Jon and Malachi! We had a great week together!!! Jon has a new job as a treasure for a company that is growing very fast and I am very proud of him too! Jenise is a wonderful mother and wife and striving to being everything that God wants her to be.
Dec 22-25 – My kids all had plans for regular Christmas, so I flew to AR and had Christmas with some friends there. It was a good time, too.
Dec 26-28 – I had about a day in New York that was a lot of fun, but rainy and caught a cold and then flew back to Ukraine on the evening of the 27th and arriving back to Kremenchuk about 6pm on the 28th. My friends had a nice reception and we had a great time together, even though very tired.
Dec 29-Jan 1 - With much help, we prepared for New Year’s celebration. On the eve of the first, we had a great New Year’s dinner at 11pm at Ksusha’s family home that was delicious and opened some gifts afterwards (this is when Ukrainians give gifts)! Afterwards we went to the center about 12:30am and took pictures in front of the New Year’s tree – Yolka – or our US version of the Christmas tree! Then we had 21 people I think at my house for the New Year’s party that lasted until about 8am when everyone finally went home. In the afternoon, we went out to the Orphan family home and took presents from us and from “His Kids Too!” an orphan organization run by members of the Church that had sent clothes and presents to the kids. It was really great!!! Then home and sleep – can you believe it!?!
Jan 2-6 – Getting caught up on many things, including spending a lot of time with people. We are also preparing for Christmas on the 7th. Yes, Ukrainian Christmas is on the 7th and we will celebrate it my American style. On Sunday the 6th, I preached in the morning (and evening) and we made sandwiches for the boy’s prison today with 6 people helping. On the afternoon of the 6th, I took Ksusha to Poltava to get her ready for 3 weeks at the Univ as she is taking most of her University classes by correspondence. She came back to celebrate Christmas with us tomorrow. We had Christmas eve – light dinner – at her home again at evening services – how nice!
Jan 7 – Christmas in Ukraine! We hung 29 stockings around on my walls of my living room and 25 came to open them. First we stuffed them with gifts that I had for the kids, then each of us drew 5 names and put 5 things in those stockings. Everyone came in and opened their stockings. Before the opening of the stockings, we celebrated Yura’s 20th birthday together. His birthday is today! We started at 4pm and ended around 9. It was a great evening together! Maybe my last New Year’s and Christmas in Ukraine for awhile. Joy and sadness mixed together.
Jan 8 - I took Ksusha back to Poltava (about 60 miles) early in the morning to start her studies, getting back around 10am. We had a great singing with about 13 people present in the evening. We went out and had pizza together afterwards.
Jan 9-11 – Spent a couple of days in Kiev with some friends that was very good. Downtown Kiev is very pretty this time of year! They have an awesome Christmas tree – excuse me – Yolka!
Jan 12 – Started Bible Clubs again and had 6 for older and 7 for teen class. Zhenya went with me to the Church discussion time and translated for me in between Bible Club times.
Jan 13-15 – 13th was Sunday and we had a good worship. Then prepared for Zhenya’s birthday celebration after evening services. We had a good worship, then Zhenya’s party with 16 people. Afterwards I took Zhenya home so she could also celebrate with her family. On the 14th, we celebrated – are you ready for this – Old New Year! Really we didn’t do much, but it is the last of the holiday season holidays in Ukraine. On the 15th we had a good devotional with 14 people at my home.
I know that was fast and brief! But it has been a good 6 weeks with family and many friends. We have shared much joy and had great experiences with one and all! I am very thankful for how God is blessing my life and may He bless yours as much and as well as He does mine!