A Long Distance Relationship

I had said many times before that I wouldn’t choose a long distance relationship. Some earlier posts in this blog might shade some light onto the reasons why not, but I won’t go into the details now.  When Tim and I realized that our friendship held more in it than being “just friends” it was shortly before he had to leave for Canada. We did have an amazing week of transition from “just friends”, good as we were, to “very special friends” before his departure date. And of we went…. Kilometers of emails, hours of skyping.  Happy  relationship growing from the opposite sides of the ocean. The challenge of growing a love relationship in a distance turned out to be a blessing in disguise. 

Last month Tim’s Grandma got very bad and was admitted to a hospice. This beautiful lady is dearly loved and cared for by everyone in the family. It is a hard time for the family as they see their beloved Grandma fade away.  

For us it meant the day of our reunion with Tim is moved till... only God knows when. That is when the distance started being harder to bear.  Distance had separated me from people I loved since I was little, breaking my heart every time.  And the heartache of the separation now, though different from what it was like before, reminded me of the old wounds. But…. as ever, the Lord was near to those who have a broken heart.  

The envelopes from Canada with the cute cards and beautiful letters which Tim has been sending to me every month deliver the message of love, missing and the warmth between us. They do make me feel hugged.

If only I could touch God!..  If only I could see His face!.. If only I could hold His hand, I would never feel alone.  I’ve realized that in this sense my love with the Lord too is a long distance relationship.  Hmmm hmmm… Could it be that the longing to reunite with this Canadian man of mine will help me  (us!) to grow closer to the God I’ve tried to love and missed all my life?  Could it be that out of  the pages of the Bible too, there are His loving hands reaching out to me?...

the Land of floods

1/ 3 part of Thailand is underwater.  Think about it.  30% of the country is flooded. Or better- think of your home being filled with dirty water, no running water or electricity, your car is covered with water to the roof...

Thailand needs the the rain to stop. Would you join us in prayer for the RAINBOW?..

The photo courtresy of http://www.theatlantic.com.  More pictures here

Only a few more from My Bucket Lisr

...Driving a jeep off road  (granted I learn to drive first)

....See the sunset at Grand Canyon

...Do a pull up

...Make an awesome  cake for my Mom  

...Learn to play harmonica

....Tell my father that I love him

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"The Bucket List"

 “The Bucket List” was somewhat a movie of my last year. I watched it at least four times! It is one of those movies where I liked every scene and there’s something new every time you watch it.  Last summer, when I got to the hospital with complications of dengue fever, the first thing I asked my sweet roommate to bring for me was that very movie. “Galina, are you sure it’s a good idea  to watch a movie about death now?”  “But this movie is about LIFE!”  Dear Kelly gave in, and the story and its moral had indeed lifted up my spirits even on a hospital bed. Needless to say I started composing my own “bucket list” which had already been in my head, unofficially so to say. The story gave me a go on making it and being conscious about  LIVing to the full.

One of the items on the list was doing the FREE HUGS.  Checked.  We did it in Chiang Mai last October  with wonderful people, my friends Hollie, John, and Inna.  It was one f the most beautiful things I had ever taken part in.  It was a year ago.  And I would totally go for it now… What is it though that I somehow lost the feel of my Bucket list , back in the cold in Russia? 

My mama

I want to thank you for your for my mom, for all the encouraging notes you have sent to me in the last couple weeks.  I received your support and care with gratitude.  My mom is out of the hospital and has a few weeks off work to recover from the surgery.  She was up and walking slowly in the first few days after she got operated on.  I delivered her the words and encouragement and assurance of prayers many of you had sent. She  asked me to thank everyone. With tears in her eyes she said “Probably because of all the prayers I'm recovering so quickly”.   The risk the surgery under anesthesia contained for her heart was very high.   My mom was afraid to not wake up.  And when she did I knew Father had showed His love and mercy to my family yet another time.   If you think of my mother please pray for her continued healing (she's been experiencing pain in lower abdomen and her back) and for her to receive the love of Jesus Christ with an open heart. 

Back in USSR, or the season in Russia

Since I left home four years ago my mom had been in a hospital about  ten times with various illnesses.   It was hard to be away and not be there for her.  But Father God had always taken care of her and given me peace. It has been good to reconnect with my family during this furlough.   But reverse culture shock hit me hard when I first came here.  I had been struggling for two months feeling lost and sometimes guilty for not being able to connect to the place and people I had known but been away from. Even the warm summer temperatures were cold for me, people on the bus were rude, fruits were all imported and everybody spoke Russian!  Actually after I switched from full time English and Thai to full time Russian I realized that I myself spoke those other languages much more politely. Oh well, we are not our culture but our culture is  a part of us, eh.