Nursing Orientation and Pre-Camp

Today was my nursing orientation... and I think they are out to scare us away. They call it "Boot Camp", which I personally don't think sounds very fun. As a result I am nervous to start this semester in the fall, but my excitement to get started overrides the fear.

Now I happily tuck away these spinning thoughts of things I have to get done, tuck away this red folder with the words "NURSING" on the corner, and tuck away all worries. Because tomorrow is regional youth camp.

I hope you all are joining! I do not know what to expect this year. New facility, new responsibilities (for me), different youth... The Adirondacks! I encourage you all to sign up for the soccer, volleyball and ping pong tournaments :) Anyway I am pretty much all packed up... All I need is a night of rest because staying up late in the church office is messing up my circadian rhythm. Anyway keep praying (or start) for camp to be blessed. I have seen things happen with my own two eyes that shows that God is in control.

We as Slavic youth like to push the boundaries on time-limits and people-limits and changing-your-mind limits. And if I could say that I learned one thing during the administration process for far, it is that people are indecisive creatures! It is just how we are. But please people, stop changing your mind so much and messing with our brains :P But going back, above all I have seen God doing so much to make this camp possible. People had their ideas and put God into a little box thinking all would go according to their little plan.. No no no, God took control and I see Him really moving things around. It's awesome. One quote I though summed it all up: "At the end of the day when you see people turning to Jesus, this is all worth it." -Paul M.

So on Sunday at 1:30 pm when we all clear out of the camp, I hope to come home with the faith and knowledge that someone turned to Jesus.

Tanya's Graduation

Well it was more of a pinning than a graduation. Nonetheless, she is officially done with nursing school. She is going to be one awesome nurse. I pray that God's face continues to shine upon her :)

Last night after everything she comes into my room... and in a very ceremonious fashion she hands me her white scrubs. It's my turn.

Pray for all nurses! And future nurses (me, Dasha, Natalya, Igor, Ira K) who are in nursing school.
Now the weekend has hit and it's time for the Syracuse tent conference, pray for that as well! I'll try to take some pictures :) Love y'all!

Breakfast Yummies

Am I the only one who goes to sleep thinking of breakfast? It keeps me from eating at night and makes me so happy to go to sleep all the quicker so I can open my eyes in the morning and make breakfast.

Am I normal? I think I love food too much, it is my weakness. Breakfast is something that makes me so thankful to God that I am alive. I love thinking of different recipes and letting that be my creative outlet. But then the eating part is just as good... 

What I've Been Up To

Buttermilk waffles with mango and Greek yogurt.

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. You can have dairy, fruit and carbs all you want!

Someone once laughed at me because I said "you fast all night so that's why you need to have a nutritious breakfast". It is considered fasting all night! lol 

Vanilla Frozen Custard. I've been working at the Lilac Fest all week. It's fun and simple.

I get to deliver things and walk in the sun once in a while. Also eat yummy calzones from Nancy's Fried Dough. Oh yeah, make money too! Haha

Here is my book bag. Have you ever heard the line: "Even staring at a wall becomes interesting while studying." Well my book bag became quite fascinating when I tried studying once.

I have one more final and I'll be done with this semester. I can't wait!

Feel the Sun on Your Skin

These pics were taking after the missionary conference this Saturday at Erie Canal. 

Typical.

Not so typical.

It's nice to feel the sun on your skin once in a while.

Cell Group Meeting

I'm always so happy to see how cell groups are forming with time. I believe that God is working in each group and each group is so different and aimed towards different kinds of people. I would say our cell group is aimed for younger girls. High school girls. God knows what they go through in high school, lol! Really though, high school was a trial. And we should be praying for all the kids who are in school because they are in a perfect mission field but often fail to notice! I pray for the girls in our cell group because they have such potential to reach out and shine the light of Jesus in the midst of darkness.

We have been reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan. I even had the pleasure of buying a copy of this book for a girl in our group and she is reading it in school with her friend!

Recently, we have been meeting up at a cute little coffee shop in the center of town. I think we all live within 1-8 minutes from this location so it is very nice. I love trying new teas so here is my large tea. It looks pretty monstrous!

As a cell group we have been inspired to visit Rock the Lakes this summer. It will take place on June 16th and 17th in Sahlen's Stadium. We thought it would be effective to have our hw be to bring at least one non-believing friend to this event. God inspired me to bring this idea to the group so that the girls could bring in a friend or two from high school. I know that they will hear the gospel message there. If you would like to learn more about Rock the Lakes click here: http://www.billygraham.org/articlepage.asp?articleid=8440
Pretty much last time Rock the Lakes was in Rochester in 1988 there was a revival! Whoot! Praying that it will happen again.

Zucchini

I have been majorly craving summer food. Especially grilled zucchini. So last night after Tim Horton's at 12 am we stopped by Wegmans and I bought some. I don't even know how to turn on our gas grill (I would probably explode something) so I worked with our panini press.

Cut the zucchini and salt according to taste. Leave on open panini press for 5 minutes. Add one teaspoon olive oil to pan and let it heat up. Press two pieces of garlic and fry in oil for one minute. Drip a little bit of this oil onto the zucchini, add pepper and close the panini maker. Let it cook for 5 minutes or until brown and softened. Add a few drops of fresh squeezed lemon juice onto the cooked zucchini. 

Serve zucchini with whatever you like! I served it with teriaki salmon and summer crab salad.

The Heavenly Man

The book I'm currently reading. You may have read it already, but I would encourage you to reread it! Brother Yun shares his story of persecution, the passion of the Chinese house-church, the miracles and most of all: the overwhelming power and majesty of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! I'm only a few chapters in... but feel free to let me know if you would like to borrow it :)

I Do Not Want to Forget:

Eating strawberries and green borscht at my house. The best part of green borscht: The half moon shaped eggs floating around in a delicious manner.

Eastman Theatre: Exploring. Trying to find the grand piano in the ladies room. We will find it one day.

Vova's basement. The pool sticks, the water gun and the banana peel. The engagement.

Photography courtesy of Juliet Poplavskiy.

Great God

"It is not great people who change the world, 

it is weak people in the hands of a great God who change the world."

photography complements of Juliet Poplavskiy

All Set?

The times when I feel like I'm all set, I find out that I really should not trust in my own power. He gently breathes His love on my life and it blows over my fragile plans and ideas. The only time when I am "all set" is when He is my defense. In Him I shall not be moved.

HW Time

I love it when I have SO much to do, yet I find SO much other things to do! You all know what I mean. This is my ritual for getting school work done: Eat breakfast, dress up (it's weird), light up a candle (oops), get a huge mug of London Earl Grey tea, sit down, check my email (I have a new job as secretary/helper for Camp of the Woods this year). Get distracted. Ok :) Yeah I have to not only physically prepare myself to do something such as write an essay, I have to mentally prepare myself. So off to work I go! Send out a prayer for me, I know you can!

PS: Pray for my grandma, she's in the hospital not feeling good, high BP and they can't get it down :( She asked for me to pray for her.

Have a wonderful day! You can see it so be thankful (view previous post)!

The Blind Man

Слепой, который затронул сердца миллионов людей. This video really touched me.

Yield

Young people often find themselves longing to change the world. Fiery passion for Christ pumps through us, leaving us wondering “What can I do to make an impact?” The answer is you cannot. Alone, that is. In Christ alone, all is possible. Apart from Him, all is hopeless. As mere humans, it is physically impossible for us to merit in God’s eyes when depending on our own strength. The rebellious nature grips our flesh with a solid hold, our weakness too great to overcome with our mustered up will power. Let this truth humble us, but not leave us completely shattered. There is hope. Christ says to Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Paul responds: “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 

Instead of asking the Lord: “What can I do?” ask “What can You do through me? This allows the Holy Spirit room to empower you fully. Surrender the reins to Him, it is an all or nothing deal. The choice is in your hands. Choose to live in your own power, or choose to completely yield to the loving God of the universe.   

http://pinterest.com/pin/189151253069770945/