Caramel Apple Goodness

Introducing Marta and Justyna to Caramel Apples

I've always wanted to make Caramel Apples, but never have. Not once in my life. And actually, as far as that goes, I think I've only had one once in my life. But they just look so good. So when I opened up my e-mail last week and saw the latest recipe posting from a cooking blog I subscribe to, I knew that as soon as I got back to Odessa, some Caramel Apples were going to be made. Today was a great time to do it, because I was meeting with two of the girls from the training center. They came over to the apartment and stayed for dinner and were introduced to the delightful Fall festival goodness of Caramel Apples. Two more fans for life(though I'm not sure if you can call me a fan for life if I've only had them one other time). I tried only a few of the topping suggestions given in the recipe(pretzels,mini-m&m's, coconut, salt, peanuts, pecans) and so far, the only one I've tried(with peanuts) was really great. So, hope you're inspired to make a tasty caramel apple treat. Or you can just look at my pictures again. Either way.

Random Observations, pt. 2

Other Random Observations about Life & Travels in E. Europe:

*I have come to really trust taxi drivers for my safety. After riding with them in multiple countries and lots of different cities, I trust that they’ll get me where I need to go.
*I have learned that if the taxi doesn’t have a meter, you will always pay twice as much, if not more
*Porn is everywhere. From cigarette lighters to CDs to mudflaps to notebooks, it’s hard to miss. It’s hard to keep up your guard, when anywhere you turn you might unexpectedly come across it.
*Wild dogs are a norm(not so much in Poland, Hungaria and Slovakia) and not much is done about it. There’s tagging in Romania, but nothing is being done to handle the problem in Ukraine.
*The cigarette industry may have lost the war in the US, but they’re still going strong over here. Cigarettes are cheap and unfiltered and have three times as much nicotine per cigarette in Ukraine than in the US. It seems that 8 out of 10 people smoke here. I don’t really know, of course, but it’s a big number.
*High heels are a must. All females under the age of about 45 wear them all the time. It doesn’t matter if the streets and sidewalks are torn up or if they’re old cobble stones, you must wear high heels- and the higher the better. I refuse to conform.
*Policemen are scarier over here. Perhaps it’s because they truly were scary under Communism or perhaps because so many of them still want bribe money.
*My cell phone bill is way cheaper over here. Seriously, you’re all getting ripped off in America. I pay a little over $4 per month and $8 if I really talk a lot- and that includes texting. One month in America costs me more than an entire year over here. Crazy. (I will admit that Ukraine seems to be the cheapest, but still, you get the idea)
* You really don’t need as much as you think you do for trips. I’ve gotten it down to a science now. I can do 3 weeks in a backpack, plus a bag with a couple of books and train food(and often a 3rd pair of shoes, cause shoes are important). 1 pair of jeans, 1 skirt, 2 light weight jackets, 1 sweater, 2 long sleeve shirts, 2 tanks, pjs, 1 pair boots, 1 pair slip on shoes, leggings, socks, underwear- all rolled as tight as possible, toiletries. And you’re off. The rule is that you only take what you can carry easily.
*BO never becomes a pleasant odor, but after prolonged exposure your olfactory senses do indeed adjust. Thank God.

Timisoara, Romania

In the center of Timisoara, along the main square walkway

Timisoara Opera and Theatre

Looking down to the opposite end of the main square(in this case a large rectangle)

As you know, the trip to Timisoara ended up being a time of enforced rest, due to a stomach virus. I was feeling somewhat better the morning that I flew back to Ukraine, so I walked the few minutes down to the Main Square there. In Europe, almost all cities have a Main Square or some sort of pedestrian street, which is the place to go to see and to be seen. This one was no different and was quite lovely. People of all ages strolled down the walkways, children fed the pigoens and the men gathered to play chess. It was a beautiful day and everyone was out enjoying it; stopping to greet friends and soaking in a bit of sunshine.

Pitesti, Romania

Ministry with the Gypsy children in Pitesti, Romania

A Gypsy girl(perhaps 15 years old) with her baby

Vali, from last year's training center class, is now serving full time in Pitesti

It was such a pleasure for me to spend last weekend in Pitesti. Even though I wasn't feeling well, I was so happy to get to attend the church of some IM colleagues, Florin and Avery Soare and Vali Cazacu, and have the opportunity to see more of their ministry with the Roma gypsies there. Sunday evening there were around 60 gypsy kids, ages 5-18, at the location where they meet. Because the gypsies are shunned by the general population they can't take the gypsies to church in their neighborhood and they can't bring their church into the gypsy neighborhood. So just a handful of them go to serve every Sunday evening through songs and stories and lessons and love.

It was a blessing for me to hear just a bit of the story of their pastor, Cristi, whose father was a gypsy king and after salvation, left the lifestyle. In general, it's a life of thievery and physical and sexual abuse, but because these people are shunned, nothing is really done to help those who sincerely need help- like the women and children. So for these kids to be able to come and hear that Cristi's father left that lifestyle and is a part of normal society and for them to see Cristi and his family-it's a very important thing for them. Plus, that man has a great love for God and more energy than is healthy! It was a joy and privilege to see their service there.

Making My Father Happy

In case you didn't know this about me, I'm a Pleaser with a capitol "P". I like to make people happy. Now, I don't mean in the sense of a lamb who just follows along, bleating as it goes. I mean it more like an employee who looks to his employer for guidance and then busts his rear to do his best in that job. I always(almost always, anyway- there were those bad teen moments, of course)wanted to please my parents and never wanted to break the rules. I put my best into sewing, music, college, playing, teaching, etc. The worst thing that could happen for me was to see one of my parents or teachers disappointed in me.

I can only think of one serious situation in my life when someone in authority over me told me that I had been a disappointment, and boy, did that mess with my mind. As a pleaser and someone with a driven personality and a big work ethic, those were devastating words. They washed over me and left me questioning everything I had done. I had to work through that, though, and realize that inspite of my work ethic and driven personality, I'm not always going to be able to please people. I'm not saying there weren't lessons to be learned in that situation, but that's for a different day. What I AM saying, is that this life is NOT about pleasing men. It's about pleasing my Father- the One who's done everything for me and deserves everything in return. He knows when I'm giving my all in each situation- and that my all may differ from day to day.

"Lord, may the words of man not effect me if I know I'm truly doing my best for You. Help me to grow in being a Papa-pleaser and not a People-pleaser." Amen

Random Observations

Random observations made while living and traveling in E. Europe:

1)You must always ask and pay for your condiments at fast food restaurants. You'd think I'd get used to it, but I haven't.
2)It is very strange and surprising to have hot milk with your cereal(Poland)
3)It is equally strange to order milk at a restaurant and it be hot(Romania)
4)McD's is way better over here than in the US. Classier, too.
5)I actually crave certain types of meat that I can't get in Ukraine(ground turkey, really good quality sausage)
6)Ukrainian trains are way cheaper than the trains in the rest of Europe- and I get to sleep laying down!
7)English is indeed an international language, but usually only in the big cities
8)Though many people in E. Europe understand Russian(because of the occupation), they don't want to speak it(because of the occupation)
9)Americans are thought of as VERY loud. They are. I have become much quieter since living here.
10)Every single country over here has its own identity and pride in itself. It's a fascinating thing to see, considering how often each was occupied.
11)Strange food is only strange to the people who aren't used to it. I met someone recently who thought a hamburger was strange. It gave me new perspective.
12)Every country has its own particular beauty. What a beautiful world in which we live!
13)Knowing more than one language is completely normal over here. In fact, many people know three, if not more. And know them well.
14)Romanian is a lovely language that I feel like I should understand(because of its similarities to Spanish); Hungarian sounds like nothing else; Slovakian sounds like Polish; Polish sounds like a Ukrainian with his mouth full of bread; Ukrainian sounds like a drunk Russian; and Russian has become a welcome sound to my ears.

Run Down in Romania

Sometimes, you think you can just keep going and going and then your body says, "Nope, you're wrong!" and lets you know that it has had enough. This last week my immune system declared that it was tired of all the traveling: too many trains, buses, planes, toting stuff, lack of sleep, etc., and it gave up the battle. First a cold, then a sinus infection and then to top it all off, a stomach virus. So here I am, on the Western side of Romania, where my most important meeting is, and yet, I won't be able to meet with anyone. Instead, I'm sitting in a hotel being sick. Booo. No fun. Yesterday I managed to get out in between bouts of sickness to find bottled water to keep myself hydrated and then this morning I had to change hotels. No good at all when your head is spinning. This afternoon has been better and I'm praying that I'll feel remarkably better by tomorrow evening, when I fly back to Ukraine.

Please pray for: healing from the sinus infection and virus and for a merciful, non-eventful entry into Ukraine. Quite a few people are pretty worried about my re-entry and I know that it could be a problem, but I also know that God can work it for the good and that He allows everything to happen for a reason- whether it be my getting sick right now, or my not being allowed back in Ukraine. He is good and faithful and is watching over me in all of this. Thanks so much for your faithfulness in praying for me!

The Pits in Pitesti

Soccer ministry with the Roma Gypsies in Pitesti, Romania

This was in the all-Japanese store in Pitesti. What exactly are America Pins?

Most likely I should use discretion and not post this one, but I was highly amused by this find.

With Anna Roberts, the youngest of the family that I visited in the village of Bircii. I visited the Roberts back in April and they asked me to come back in the Fall. I have so enjoyed getting to know them and hearing about and taking part in bits and pieces of their ministry there.

Oh, and the reason for the blog title is because I feel, oh, so yucky. All of this traveling and exhaustion finally caught up with me and I have a cold that is moving down into my lungs. I head out on the train early Monday across the country to spend three days at the River of Life Care Home(a home for abused mothers and their children). I'll start my return trip home Thursday evening. Please be praying for my entrance back into Ukraine Thursday evening(12:30pm EST- I'm flying), as visa laws have changed and I have no certainty that things will go smoothly for me. Also, please pray that this cold will be over with before I have to fly. Thank you all sooooo much!!

Just Passing Through

Uzhgorod, Ukraine

The River Uzh in Uzhgorod(Gorod is the word for City)

6am, leaving Slovakia and heading to Hungary

A train station somewhere in Romania

I have some people out there who like to live vicariously through me. Let me just say that at the moment, you don't want to be me. My schedule for the last week has been super hard and I'm just flat out exhausted. Last Wed. I left Odessa, taking an 18 hour train to the Ukrainian border, where I spent the night. I got up at 5:30 to cross the border into Slovakia in a bus to spend the weekend with a friend and co-worker, Annette. I messed up reading the train schedules, however, and was only able to stay a day and a half. 6am Sunday I began a day long train ride to Timisoara, Romania, stopping in Budapest, Hungary, along the way. I got in to Timisoara late last night and then got up at 4am this morning(Mon) to take the train across the country to Bucharest. I have one more short train tomorrow afternoon to get to my first destination for this week. Praise God that I actually will get a full night's rest tonight- and in a bed! The unfortunate thing about the trains I've been on the last two days is that they're not sleeper trains, so you just sit there the whole time and have nowhere to move. No fun. Ukrainian trains may not be as clean or modern, but at least I can lay down and sleep! So I'm feeling rather twitchy right now, but am happy to have done all this traveling this past week, with multiple border crossings, having to purchase tickets in four different countries, train switches, and money in four different baggies with the country labeled on it- all without any problems. Praise God!

Train Time

I'm sitting in a hotel lobby in Uzhgorod, Ukraine(border city in the far western part of Ukraine, bordering Slovakia). I have to spend the night here, because the train gets in at 1pm, but the bus crosses the border at 7:40am. Soo, I get a little time here in Uzhgorod. Today is not the nicest day, with highs in the 50's and the weather is being rather bi-polar- bright sun and then sudden clouds and a downpour. I got caught in one downpour as I walked to the hotel from the Bus Station, carrying all of my stuff. Boooo.

Today I got an awesome gift from God. It was super exciting for me. I've been in Ukraine for over two years and for the very first time ever, shared the gospel entirely in Russian. I've thought many times about what I would say, but since we usually work with English speakers, I've only shared in English. So today, mistakes and all, I had a long, interesting talk with an older gentlemen in my train compartment. He was very interested in what I'm doing here in Ukraine and of course, we ended up talking about religion. Western Ukraine is very religious (unlike the rest of the country) and because of its Polish and Austro-Hungarian roots, also very Catholic.

It was very sad to hear him say that the only way we can come to Jesus Christ is through Mary. When I asked him where that was found in the Bible he replied that he didn't know, because he doesn't read the Bible, but the writings of the Catholic Church. He wanted to talk a lot about the history of the Catholic church and asked me how old my church was. I kept trying to bring him back to the Bible as God's word and that God said that the only way to Him was through faith in His Son, not because of faith in Mary. So sad, but quite exciting to me that I could have a long conversation about the gospel entirely in Russian, and with a man only speaking to me in Ukrainian. =-) That was rather difficult, because I don't understand a lot of Ukrainian, but I did surprisingly well and was very thankful for the opportunity that God gave to me. I just pray that the words this foreigner(me) spoke will make some kind of an impact on him, or at least make him curious enough to actually read the Bible and not just accept the teachings of his priest. May God have used my stumbling tongue to share words of life today.

Pumpkin Ravioli

So, last night was the long awaited(well, 3 long days) taste-testing of the pumpkin ravioli. The consensus? GOOD. Very light, not overwhelming pumpkin flavor and the dough, though colored with tomato paste, didn't taste like tomato at all and was quite lovely. I just served it with butter and freshly grated pecorino romano cheese, but I think that if I make this again, I would try a different sauce that would complement the pumpkin better. Here's the recipe for those who were asking:

Filling:

1/4 tsp. nutmeg(I would use more next time)
1 med. container of cottage cheese or ricotta-strained well
2 cups of pumpkin, or more(straight from the pumpkin is the tastiest!)
1 egg
1/2 tsp. salt
*mix to blend & then chill while making dough

Dough:

3 cups flour
5 egg yolks
enough water to mix
a few ounces tomato paste-add until your desired color
1 tsp. salt

Mix flour, egg yolks, salt and tomato paste. Add water until you get a doughy but not very wet consistency. Knead for several minutes. Pull off a baseball sized chunk of dough and place on floured surface. Using a floured rolling pin, roll out to about 1/4 inch, flipping the dough after every few rolls. You will probably need to re-flour your surface and your rolling pin several times. Using a glass with a small circumference(2- 2 1/2 inches), cut out as many circles as you can. Stick the lip of the glass in flour before every circle. Use a teaspoon to put your filling on one circle, leaving a little over a 1/4 of an inch of dough visible all the way around. You want to have plenty, but still be able to seal it. You'll figure it out! Take another circle and stretch it so that it is bigger than the bottom circle. Place it over the bottom circle with filling and press down on the edges. Using a floured fork, crimp edges all around. Transfer to a floured baking pan and when the pan is full, freeze for about 30 min. Once frozen, you can tranfer the ravioli to a freezer bag. Continue with the rest of your filling and dough. This should make several dozen. I'll leave you to research sauces that would be a good compliment to the pumpkin. Enjoy!

Home is Wherever I'm with You

In the last two plus years I've been in and out of Ukraine, the US, Pridnestrovie, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Romania and Hungary- and most of them multiple times. In the last six months I've been in five of those countries. My home base has been Odessa, but I haven't been "home" much. I've learned that sometimes I long to be home in the US, sometimes I long to be home in my apartment in Ukraine, but most of the time, I just want to be home- in a place where I can relax and unwind from much of the craziness that goes on around me and the craziness of the travel schedule that I've had this year.

As some of you know, home is about to change for me again. In December I'll be moving back to the States for a while, to get some debriefing and training on how to debrief others, to spend time with my mentor from Barnabas International, to take some time to rest and spend quiet time with my family and friends after a hectic year, and to prayerfully make a big decision about my future. I've been asked to consider moving to Warsaw, Poland, to serve in staff care from there. It's a better location for all of my travels, plus we have a lot of people within our organization who travel in and out of there who I could host. There are some other serious variables that might end up with me in a different location and even serving from the US. Right now I don't know the answers to where I will be even in six months. But I know and trust that this is in God's hands and am ready to step out in faith to see what He has planned.

I would so appreciate your prayers for me as I organize and pack, say goodbyes and attempt to process all that I have experienced here. I still have a lot of traveling left to do before December, which leaves me with very little time in Odessa. I leave this Wednesday for Slovakia and Romania and will be there through the end of October. I'll return for a week, or so, before heading out again to E. Ukraine. Your prayers for my stamina, health, joy, and ability to encourage while in the midst of a stressful time are so appreciated. Please don't hesitate to e-mail me with any questions that you have about this transition. There are, of course, more details to this than what I've written here, and I would be glad to share them with you. Thank you so much for your love and support!

Sat. Evening Post, 10/8

These are just a few of my favorite pictures from my time in L'viv with Mom and Dad. The weather was gorgeous, the history is amazing(one of those churches dates back to the 1200's), we had a lovely place to stay- and really couldn't have asked for a much nicer time.

This week has felt rather hectic to me since returning to Odessa, with a lot of things that needed to be accomplished. Mom and Dad returned on the train this morning from a wonderful time with Will, Phyllis and the children and are now on the overseas leg of their flight back to the States. Today I did a bit of therapeutic pasta making, making some beautiful pumpkin ravioli in a lovely tomato dough. I can't wait to try them out this Monday when we have a guest for dinner! I'm attempting to add the link to the title so that you can go look at the rest of the beautiful photo album from our time on L'viv. Just click on the blog title and we'll hope that it works. =-D

Family

Raya(6 yrs. old), Asya(4 yrs. old), Bogdan(almost 7 months old) & Jaan(8 yrs. old)

With my brother, Will, in Dneprorudni

With Mom, Dad and Will before I took the bus back to Zaporozhie, their capital city, where I would then take a train back to Odessa.


I thought I would just post some family pics from our time in Dneprorudni. I'll come back later and put up some from our time in L'viv. The weather was gorgeous, the sights beautiful, and it was great to be able to show mom and dad my favorite city in Ukraine!