No we didn’t get all dressed up, but we have had a wonderful homecoming!! Our family and friends and church have embraced us with open arms! We have been plagued with a bit of sickness during these 5 weeks in Canada, but being with people we love has made a huge difference and we wouldn’t trade this time! One more week here and then we head back to Ukraine! We are excited to start staff training for Titus Project! We’ll update our picture page soon with shots from Ben’s new camera. If you want to see him receiving him camera (Surprise!) then go our video page.
At the Front Door
When was the last time you lost your keys and had to break into your own house? Wait a minute, I didn’t lose the keys and we sure didn’t break in. Actually, it was an innocent mistake. Have you seen Cassie lately? She is so innocent! She talks so sweet, she smiles like a princess; “of course honey, you can help us open the front door to the apartment”. No problem. “Can I hold the keys too?” she asks. I mean, what are the chances that this little girl will lose them within 15 steps of our apartment door – inside the building?
Alas, it could happen to anyone. Up to the 8th floor we go and as we are stepping out, sure enough, clink clink. Down 8 stories drop our keys, through the gap between the elevator car and the 8th floor – the crack is only a couple inches.
Of course, breaking into an 8th floor apartment isn’t too simple. Thankfully we were hosting a school event that evening and our friends (who speak Russian and know how to get things done around here) were coming over. Sure enough, in less than an hour they elevator guys opened up the bottom and searched through half a foot of cigarette butts to find our keys. Thank you Yulia and Daniel and Tetyana for helping us!
It’s all part of growing up, although from now on the keys will stay with Mom and Dad! :)
To Be The Bride
The other day Cassie and I were “pretending” in the car. She was the mom with 4 kids. “Okay Cassie, how many are girls?” “Well, 1 is a girl, mom”. “Then how many boys would you have?” “3!” Math already?! She must take after her Daddy.
Speaking of Daddies, last week we travelled to Lviv, Ukraine and we saw at least 10-15 brides taking pictures all over this small picturesque city. Cassie was of course enthralled with them all day! She kept saying that one day she would marry her Daddy. Awww.. It was so cute!
Not Funny Jay!
One thing about living far away is that our family and friends haven’t seen Jay grow up in this first year, so I like to blog about his developments so everyone can get an idea of where he is at.
Jay loves to explore all over the house. Listening is not his strong point so once he sees something he wants to touch or hold he gets VERY determined! He makes all sorts of noises and seems to have conversations with everything (toys, us, Cassie, his food) He is also getting in his second molar. He is still a good sleeper, 2 two hour naps a day plus 12 hours or so at night. He likes to eat food and drink milk and water (especially in the bath, yuck!). We are working on getting him to not hit. He thinks it is funny when someone is holding him to smack them in the face. “No Jay, that is not funny, gentle.” But he is so cute with his smile and giggle. We love him so much!
In the Wind
Three Three Three Round 2
Here is an alternate version of Three Three Three. Brought to you by the slick engineering at Animoto.com (but you have to pay for more pixels).
Angela’s Reading Skills
Really, she LUVS Pink
Cassie’s Pinkalicious Party!
Happy Birthday Cassie!
“
Look at me me me, I’m three three three, I’m as happy as can be be be, Can you tell? Can you see? I’m a very very happy me! I can build my blocks, put on my socks, I can even draw a circle.
We love you little girl – you’re a wonderful treasure in our life!
You have a wonderful attitude, bring such joy to us with your singing and dancing. You blow our socks off with how intelligent you are, you’re always learning new things, drawing new conclusions, using big new words and really surprising us at every turn! You’re the most wonderful gift from God we have ever received! You are finally three three three! :)
PS. You can watch a clip of Cassie performing the above song with her mom here or a different one here.
Three Three Three
This is a special performance of Three Three Three by Ang and Cassie D!
At the Park
Cassie sure is growing up really fast! At the park she is no longer satisfied without a challenge. “Let’s do the big slide”, “I want to climb on the rainbow” (monkey bars in a semi-circle shape), “look Mom, I’m pumping” as she swings (although she still needs a lot of pushing). We’re practicing on the tricycle. Inside the house, she is painting pictures and using different colors on different objects, reading books and of course, helping her brother overcome any obstacle he encounters.
Side x Side Cassie in the Sand
Jay sure is enjoying spring over here. Digging in the sandbox, playing with the shovels and trucks, eating the rocks he finds, he’s into it all! But it sure is a pleasure to watch him run after his sister, climb the stairs for the slide when she does, sometimes even get on the swing with her. He’s got a great older sister to look up to his whole life long!
Growing Up So Fast
Jay’s Diggin’
Cassie’s Friend Katya
Vicka
We like to introduce you to different people we meet, since that helps you understand our life a little more.
Today I want to introduce Vicka. Vicka is a student in our bible school. She is Ukrainian and has a passion to teach God’s word. She will do Titus Project this fall to get stronger in her teaching skills and to bring Bible teaching to a country that really needs discipleship.
Here is her testimony:
Being born in a family with Orthodox beliefs, I was baptized almost after birth and given a cross to wear at all times as a symbol of Christianity. The existence of God is a fact that I have always known.God was, He is, and He always will be.
But a lot of times, what is visible on the outside is not reflected inside.
Yes I knew ABOUT God, but I didnยt know Him.
Time was passing and life was bringing more struggles as I grew up. The Soviet Union collapsed and had a great influence on every person and every family. I hardly saw my parents at home as they were trying to earn some money to make ends meet. I was growing up ยon the streetย and at the age of 12 I almost commited a suicide. I was so disappointed in life and all it had to offer, that I said: ย God Iยm not going to believe in You anymore!ย A year passed, and I experienced Godยs grace pour out on me. After attending a Christian camp I experienced something I never knew, some One Iยve only heard about. God found me at the age of 13, and I was saved. I made a decision to ask God to come into my heart and change my life, and then was baptized, after truly believing. Since then I had a strong desire and motivation to help out kids at these Christian camps to find out who God is and who they are in Him.
Lately Godยs been teaching me how to build up my faithfulness, teaching me how to trust in Him with patience and what humbleness is before Him. He showed me my heart and revealed that being faithful starts from the inside. I knew that, but sometimes my priorities were not set straight, letting other things take 1st place in my heart. I thank God for always being faithful, guiding me in His footsteps so that I may have a good example to follow.
God is my Lord, my Father and my Friend.
He is my beloved and i belong to Him...
Just as a side note, Vicka is planning on moving into long term missions after this bible school and will need monthly supporters so if you are interested in being a part of her team just let us know and we will get you connected.
Happy Birthday Jay!
Jay, youยre such a wonderful little guy! You just started signing back to us when you want more, if you want milk or when youยre done. Youยre walking everywhere, have been for 2 months now. Weยre really proud of you! Hope you really enjoy the soccer ball, weยll play lots this summer!
Happy Birthday!
Smile!
Teaching Adventures 