Chernobyl

I know this post should be about Easter, but we actually haven’t celebrated Easter yet.  Here Easter is this coming Sunday the 12th.  It is always strange for me when the holidays don’t line up, I miss the holiday in America.  After a few days I remember most have already celebrated and remember I forgot to call home or congratulate anyone.  Happy Easter!! Christ is risen!!

This last week our kids had a week of spring break, we decided to take a trip to the mountains.  Things are super affordable right now because of the exchange rate and it is in between seasons, thus a hotel/apartment room for our entire family is only $50 a night.  We asked our dejourni, Ludmilla Nikoliavna to come along and help watch Joy while we were off in the mountains.

After a week with her, we unanimously voted that we can’t vacation without her!  She took Joy for walks during the day and when we got back in the evening she had hot dinners waiting for us!  What a deal!!

Her story touched my heart, her husband died at the young age of 58.  He was stationed in Chernobyl as part of the clean up crew.  She described that after that short service, he was sick for the rest of his life.  His teeth all fell out shortly after, he got cancer and battled until he died.

Another dad of Michael’s classmate told me his similar story of being stationed in Chernobyl.  He was an opera singer and after serving for a short time, he lost his singing voice.

Ironically Gardner and Ryan are there today taking a tour.  I couldn’t imagine why they would willingly want the radiation, but we’ll soon hear their impressions.

Gardner took a group to the Carpathians snow shoeing.

this wonderland is what we went to as a family a week later

the beauty takes your breath away

It was crazy weird to leave this winter wonderland and a few hours later arrive back into the city and see spring arriving.  I love the warmth, so it is quite welcomed, but surreal to jump climates so quickly.

Now we prepare for Easter.  We are planning a very interesting Easter service for all ages at 11am Sunday, afterwards we are setting up tables and sharing a feast together for all who attend.  It will be a great way to celebrate the gift of new life Jesus gives.

April is a packed month, Easter, kids’ birthdays, our church’s first baptism (Andrew is one of the people being baptized), fun picnics, school events and we begin to prepare for our trip to America.

I’ve listed a few needs we have on another page, if you are interested in praying or want to help out.

Today I read Romans 7 and 8:1 with my neighbor friend, we reflected on the significance of Easter and why is was important for Jesus to rise.  How His resurrection has significance to our lives today, it was super awesome to share with each other and share the true hope Jesus gives me!  She received this hope for herself this morning!  New Life all around!

Happy Easter!!