Bright Spots

We always see the work there is to do: the work with people and the work with upkeep. At our house we've got some repairs we REALLY need to do. Here is the ever-widening crack in the boys' ceiling. The ceiling is made of a clay/plaster mixture and has been sagging a little bit more each of the four years we have lived here.

Our windows need to be replaced. Several have been like this one and fallen out during a storm and completely broken.

Registration with the Ukrainian government has been a requirement for foreigners since the 1990's. The requirements for the time given to register have changed from time to time. This last month a law was passed that shortened the time given us to register by three months. This is the building that houses the office in Nikolaev for the registration of foreigners. We're thinking about trying to get a permanent residency permit here. Our lawyer tells us it is possible and is coming down to check into it this week.

But everything isn't found on a to-do list. There are some bright spots. For years in different places, I've tried to have a few flowers around. Nothing grew. Finally this year we have a bright spot of color here and there. I found information how to take care of them on the internet and they are flourishing.

Another project and bright spot of this week has been putting screens in our windows. Dave put them in the kitchen windows, the room we use for church services and neighboring room to the kitchen. He's just started to work on putting a screen door on the entry that goes directly into the kitchen. It will be a real bright spot to have less flies to chase, catch with fly tapes and kill. One time our daughter gave the teenage boys the fly swatter with an assignment to kill so many flies apiece. They totally enjoyed it and the next time they entered the kitchen they asked for the fly swatter.

A little tiny fur ball is another bright spot. Our cat, Snezhinka (Snowflake in English), had just one kitten this time. It's bored without other kittens to play with, so comes to play with us and sit in our laps.

Another bright spot is our friends. Here's Seth with a couple of his little friends having a great time.

Here's Allona with Nelya and Marina. They spend a lot of time together.

Games in Kids' Klub are bright spots. Here is one of the children particpating in a dress up relay.

Remembering you who are praying and caring about us long distance is bright spot. THANKS for coming here to check out what is happening.